Recent Sightings Slide show: Bucky (and friends) go to the fair

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Cream puffs and the giant slide aside, the Wisconsin State Fair is a great venue for learning new things about the world — making it an ideal spot for UW–Madison to settle in for a day.

On Wednesday, Aug. 6, the university did just that by bringing a sampling of science, music and athletics to the citizens of the state during UW-Madison Day at the Fair. The special day — staffed by university and UW alumni volunteers — offered hands-on science and engineering demonstrations, the Student Brass Quintet, Bucky Badger and the UW Marching Band, and a chance for sports fan to test their skills.

To highlight the important role of education, the university also sponsored a drive to collect school supplies for Milwaukee-area children in need.

Connections between the university and the fair go way back. Although the event has been held in West Allis since 1892, during 1861, 1862 and 1863, the fair was originally set to take place in Madison. But the intended site had become a training camp for volunteer troops in the Civil War, and festivities were cancelled. In time, the area was named Camp Randall, and today it serves as the site of UW–Madison’s football stadium.

This slide show, created by UW–Madison photographer Jeff Miller, captures some of the myriad sights of UW–Madison Day at the Fair. To experience those unique smells — that blend of roasted corn, pork chops and cotton candy that only the state fair cooks up — you’re on your own.

View the slide show: