Posted: 08.16.2011

Attendance at the Wisconsin State Fair was up this year, despite widespread fighting and other violence on opening day.

More than 911,000 people attended the 11-day fair that ended Sunday, which is a 4 percent increase over 2010. On opening night, police arrested 31 people and at least 11
people were hurt in fighting in and around the fair. West Allis police have said race was a factor in some of the cases.

State Fair officials stepped up security with the help of local and state officers. There were no other reports of similar incidents.

In a statement Monday, the park's chief executive officer, Rick Frenette, said he appreciated help from the State Patrol, West Allis and Milwaukee police.

Initial reports also show fair revenue is also up nearly 6 percent.

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