Investing in its signature product, Wisconsin State Fair showed off its upgraded cream puff bakery in a spiffy renovated building during a promotional event July 18.
And in a plot twist you might not have expected, you’ll be able to rent a new event space in that building after the fair’s run ends for wedding receptions, galas and other events.
The edifice where around 400,000 cream puffs are whipped up during each State Fair is once again known as The Dairy Building, which is what the building was called when it opened in 1909. In recent years it has been known as The Original Cream Puff Pavilion.
The fair has spent the past 11 months installing a new bakery that will be faster and have more capacity. The fair has yet to determine the top speed and capacity the bakery can reach, because the tests so far have been of smaller batches, said Tess Kerksen, director of marketing and communications.
But the increased capacity means the bakery will make both Original Cream Puffs and Chocolate Cream Puffs daily throughout the fair. This year the fair also will make limited-edition Celebration Strawberry Cream Puffs, presented by UScellular.
The renovation also brings in more natural light throughout The Dairy Building, transforming it from a rather dark space to one that’s “bright and beautiful,” said State Fair Executive Director and CEO Shari Black, in remarks to an audience of sponsors, vendors and media members.
As an event space, building could likely seat up to 180 people, Kerksen said. And yes, people planning for events there could negotiate for cream puffs to be part of the package, she said.
Black also pointed out that State Fair has upgraded some restrooms to family/all-gender bathrooms and has placed adult-size adjustable changing tables in restrooms at the Central Mall, The Dairy Building, the Exposition Center and the corner of Grandstand Avenue and First Street.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin State Fair shows off renovated Dairy Building and upgraded cream puff bakery
Reporting by Jim Higgins, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
