Scores of violent teens brawl at Wisconsin State Fair, turning wholesome event into scene of dystopian chaos

By EMMA RICHTER, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 21:27, 17 August 2026 | Updated: 21:51, 17 August 2026 A Midwest state fair was ruined by a huge gang of youngsters who started brawling with each other and attacking random police officers.  A string of fights broke out at the Wisconsin State Fair on Sunday around 10pm, prompting a large police response at Wisconsin State Fair Park - a popular fairgrounds and exhibition center in the Milwaukee suburb of West Allis.  Social media posts revealed the dystopian scene, as both male and female teenagers punched, kicked, tackled, and screamed at each other.  Hordes of aggressors rushed over to people at the fair and started aggressively beating them up between food stands and rides, the videos showed.  Garbage cans tumbled to the ground as fair-goers tried to flee the violence.  At one point, a teen, dressed in all black clothing, appeared to hold their face in pain as they lay on the ground.  Another person was seen crouching down as they held their head, appearing to try to shield themselves as people repeatedly whacked them.  One clip alone caught at least three brawls - one after the other - as hordes of people ran over to each fight to scream and record the action.  Hoards of teens broke out in fights during the finald day of the Wisconsin State Fair on Sunday night  The brawls took place one after the other, as wild teenagers kicked, punched, screamed and dragged people  It is unclear what led to the pandemonium and if anyone was arrested.  The West Allis Police Department assisted officers with the Wisconsin State Fair Park Police Department at the scene, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.  Police officers were seen running over to the teenagers in footage, while others rode on horseback and tried to break up the fights.  At least one cop was punched in the face during the mayhem. No other injuries were reported, fair officials said. Gunfire was also not present at the scene, despite some social media reports stating otherwise.  Officials alerted each other about the scene in distressing dispatch audio.  'They need some help at Spin City. Send anybody extra you have,' an officer was heard saying, according to audio heard by 12 News.  Sunday was the final day of the fair. This year the event ran from August 6 to August 16.  After the chaos unfolded, Republican Wisconsin gubernatorial Rep. Tom Tiffany blamed Democrat nominee Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley for the fighting.  One person was seen covering their face and appeared to be in pain after a group ganged up on them at the event  At least one cop was punched in the face during the mayhem. No other injuries were reported, fair officials said. Gunfire was also not present at the scene, despite some social media reports stating otherwise 'This is Milwaukee County under David Crowley. Crime. Chaos. At least one officer punched,' Tiffany wrote on X.  'Public safety starts with leadership, and Crowley’s leadership has failed Milwaukee County. Don’t let him fail Wisconsin.'  Jeff Wagner, a retired talk show radio host for WTMJ, also weighed in on the incident.  'This is why we can't have nice things. While details are still emerging, my guess is that it will turn out to be groups of out-of-control kids once again causing trouble as State Fair winds down,' Wagner wrote.  Wisconsin State Fair officials also released a statement following the fights.  'Sunday evening, near the close of the annual State Fair, Wisconsin State Fair Park Police, with the support of the Milwaukee and West Allis Police Departments, responded to disturbances on and around Wisconsin State Fair Park.  'This included individuals attempting to gain unauthorized access to the Fair, as well as disturbances involving groups on the grounds. Law enforcement and security staff responded quickly as these incidents occurred,' the fair said.  'For 11 days, hundreds of thousands of guests came together for a safe and successful Wisconsin State Fair.  The incidents Sunday evening were isolated to the final hours of the Fair and are not representative of the experience our guests enjoyed throughout the event. The behavior is always unacceptable and is not what we expect or will tolerate at the Wisconsin State Fair Park.'  The Daily Mail contacted the West Allis Police Department and the Wisconsin State Fair Park Police Department for comment.