Dane County Fair Military Appreciation Day
Thursday of the Fair – July 15

Celebrate Military Appreciation Day at the Dane County Fair on Thursday, July 15, 2010.

In honor of their service, all Armed Forces personnel (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Reserves, National Guard members and veterans) and their immediate family members will receive free admission to the fair. Proper military identification will be necessary to receive free admission, such as Armed Forces ID, VA Hospital ID Card or separation papers. Parking is always free at the Fair.

The Dane County Fair and Little Caesars are joining forces to deliver phone time to the troops and to offer you Fair admission. Recycle your used cell phone by bringing it to any Dane County Little Caesars now through July 15 to receive a free admission ticket. The admission ticket will be good for any day of the Fair. The donated cell phones will be turned into prepaid calling cards through the Cell Phones for Soldiers program and distributed to U.S. troops stationed overseas. To learn more about Little Caesars and their partnership with Cell Phones for Soldiers, visit the local Little Caesars Pizza on Facebook by searching "Little Caesars in the Badger Land" or contacting the local office at 608-234-8895.

Many special displays and interactive activities will take place during Military Appreciation Day. All activities and attractions open at 10 a.m. on Thursday of the Fair. You won't want to miss the fun!

Get your Yellow Ribbon!
Brought to you by Operation Homefront
Yellow ribbons will be given out at entrance gates into the Fair. We invite all fairgoers to wear the ribbons in support of our troops.

Thank You Notes for the Soldiers
Brought to you by Operation Homefront
You can personally show your support to the troops by writing a thank you or making a card. Children and adults can create their own thank you, which will be sent to soldiers overseas.

Free Mili-Kits to Send Care Packages to the Troops
Brought to you by the United States Postal Service
United States Postal Service staff will be at the Dane County Fair gates to provide free packaging and supplies for mailing to the military overseas. Each Mili-Kit includes 6 Priority Flat Rate boxes, 6 customs forms and holders, Priority Mail labels and a roll of Priority Mail packaging tape. Information will be provided on rates, packaging, and how to order supplies for future use.

Recycle Your Cell Phone and Help the Troops
Brought to you by Little Caesars
Bring your used cell phones to the Fair on Thursday and donate it at the Little Caesars' Cell Phones for Soldiers special display in the Lobby of the Exhibition Hall. The donated cell phones will be turned into prepaid calling cards through the Cell Phones for Soldiers program and distributed to U.S. troops stationed overseas.

Support Toys for Tots
Toys for Tots will be kicking of their 2010 toy drive at the Fair as part of Military Appreciation Day. Donate new unwrapped toys to make a positive difference in the life of area kids during the holidays. You'll find them near the Marines outdoor display.

Wisconsin Veterans Museum
You’ll get to take a trip through Wisconsin history with this special exhibit featuring military collections. Artifacts on display will represent World War II through the present.

Special Military Displays
Booths with fun activities and information from numerous branches of military will be located around the fairgrounds. Some displays include: U.S. Navy, U.S. Marines, U.S. Coast Guard, Wisconsin Army National Guard, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Dept. of Wisconsin. Military equipment will also be on the grounds. Be sure to check it out!

• Army
• Air Force
• Navy
• Marine
• Coast Guard
• Operation Homefront
• Little Caesars' Cell Phones for Soldiers
• Wisconsin Veterans Museum
• U.S. Post Office
• Guitars for Vets
• Toys for Tots

Red Cross Blood Drive, 1-6pm on Fairgrounds Drive
New and returning donors are encouraged to donate. All presenting donors will receive a coupon for FREE ice cream at the 4-H Leaders Association stand, located next to the blood drive. Simply bring your ID or donor card to the Fair. Walk-ins are welcome.

Special Flag Ceremonies
Air Force ROTC Detachment 925, UW-Madison will be raising the flags at 11am and lowering the flags at 8pm.

Special Military-Only Activities

The Dane County Fair is pleased to host Military Appreciation Day on Thursday, July 15. Please be sure to bring military identification, such as your Active Duty Military ID, Families & Dependent ID, VA Health Care ID, Military Retirement ID, and any other form of Military ID. Parking is always free at the fair for all attendees. See you there!

Military Resource Fair
This exclusive trade show will feature all of the resources and benefits available to military families. You’ll be able to get your questions answered, learn more about resources available and network with the organizations who support you. The Military Resource Fair will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Hall C of the Exhibition Hall. A complete list of Military Resource Fair exhibitors is at the bottom of this page.

Enjoy a complimentary pizza party and ice cream social
Little Caesars is providing a complimentary pizza party starting at noon, with refreshments provided by Pepsi. An ice cream social and games for the children will be available starting at 1 p.m., thanks to Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream and Operation Homefront. Military personnel and their families will be able to enjoy the pizza and beverages, build their own sundaes and socialize with other area military families. Plus, the children can enjoy the fun and games. We will continue serving pizza and ice-cold Pepsi until 2:30 p.m. The ice cream social will continue until 4 p.m. All of these festivities will be held in Hall C, along with the Military Resource Fair.

Special Fair entrance just for you
When entering the Fair, look for the military VIP gate. Have your military identification (or your spouse’s if he or she is deployed) to expedite your admission. Our vendors are excited to say “Thank you!” to you by offering military-only specials and discounts. You will receive a flyer highlighting these specials at the entrance gate.

Reduced rate at a Madison hotel
In conjunction with Military Appreciation Day at the Fair, the Crowne Plaza hotel on the east side of Madison is offering a promotional rate of $59 on Thursday night. Advance reservations are required. Military ID is required at check-in. Click here for a PDF flyer with complete information. Or call the Crowne Plaza at 800-404-7630 and ask about the “Military Appreciation Promotion.”

• Dane County Veterans Service Office
• Disabled American Veterans
• Dry Hootch
• Edgewood College
• First Weber
• Ho-Chunk Nation/Veteran Affairs
• Kaplan University
• Madison Navy League
• Military Order of the Purple Heart
• Operation Homefront
• Service Members Support Division
• Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
• UW Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention
• UW-Milwaukee
• UW-Whitewater
• VA Regional Office
• Vet Center
• VFW
• William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital
• Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs
• Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, Office of Veteran Services and Wisconsin Job Center