At the first state fair sponsored by the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society, thirteen counties were represented with entries including horses, cattle, sheep, swine, farming implements, dairy products, flour and corn meal, domestic manufactures, needle work, fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Highlights of the occasion were the plowing matches and an address by John W. Lathrop, Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin. The fairgrounds contained 6 acres, and about 10,000 people attended.