MONROE — The 2024 Green County Fair will feature a market dedicated to local vendors at the space traditionally utilized as the outdoor beer garden.
In 2023, the Green County Fair transitioned to an open-container policy for beer. Patrons could purchase beer at the Entertainment Tent as well as the Grandstand, and carry beer throughout the grounds. Green County is not the only Fair to implement such a policy, and the transition went well with minimal incident. Patrons adapted this practice responsibly, and the open-container beer policy is expected to remain in effect into the future.
With beer available for sale at several locations and consumption not confined to a traditional beer garden or tent, the question remained about what to do with the existing beer garden space. Without a clear purpose, the traditional beer garden could remain empty or face demolition. Neither option was desirable given the potential of the space, which is cemented with a shelter and secured via a formidable fence and lockable entry gate. Still, the question remained about what to do with the beer garden, since alcohol consumption at the Green County Fair has moved elsewhere.
Gleaning inspiration from the success of local farmers and vendor markets and the “Made in Wisconsin” wares featured at the Exhibition Hall at the Wisconsin State Fair, Green County Fair Board Member and Foods Superintendent Deb Myers suggested a similar “Made in Green County” market showcasing local goods. The Green County Made market will be among the first of its kind to be featured at a county fair, following inspiration from Rock, Dane, and Walworth County Fairs.
It will be an ideal opportunity for vendors to showcase locally produced goods at the Green County Fair, an annual event dedicated to the celebration of agriculture, Myers said.
She said the market represents the ideal scenario to not only breathe new life into an underutilized space, but also showcase the very best of what Green County has to offer.
Each year the Green County Fair attracts an impressive variety of attendees, exhibitors, vendors, and visitors for an equally diverse array of events. The average annual attendance at the Green County Fair is approximately 13,000 people, making for a unique opportunity to showcase locally-produced goods for sale. This will not be the first time local goods have been offered for sale at the Fair. In years past, attendees could walk through a market space located beneath the Grandstands. Beginning in 2024, a similar market located at the traditional beer garden space offers a secure venue for the duration of the Fair, and breathes new life into an underutilized space while offering attendees the opportunity to meet with, and support, local vendors.
How it will work
The week of the Green County Fair, Green County Made market will operate from Wednesday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Setup for vendors will be Tuesday, July 17, from 12-7 p.m. Vendors offering goods ranging from jams, jellies, honey, quilts and homemade items, pottery, crafts, wool, produce, woodworking, meat, eggs, and otherwise Green County-sourced items are encouraged to register for a space.
Overall space is limited to up to 25 vendors, and individual stalls will be offered for a standard 10-foot by 10-foot canopy with sides for additional after-hours security. Access to the market will be locked and secured after hours. Electrical hookups will not be available. Vendor spots will be available for $100, which includes a stall for the duration of the Fair as well as entry throughout the week.
To apply, send a photo and product description with a $25 deposit to:
Green County Made
℅ Debbie Myers
PO Box 143
Juda, WI 53550
Email: april18@tds.net
Phone: 608-934-5460
All vendor information must be received by June 15 to be considered for a spot at the 2024 Green County Fair’s “Green County Made” market. Accepted entries will be notified with further registration information, and rejected entries will be refunded $25.
