Military Appreciation Day
Thursday of the Fair - July 18, 2013

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 on Military Appreciation Day, which is Thursday of the Fair. Proper military identification will be necessary to receive free admission, such as Armed Forces ID, VA Hospital ID Card or a copy of separation papers. Parking is always free at the Fair. 

Have ideas for fun activities or military service organization who might want to get involved? Please email cleum@wdexpo.com or call 608-224-0500. Click here for special activities for all military families. 

Many special displays will be on hand and interactive activities will take place during Military Appreciation Day. 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 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.

Special Military Displays
Booths with fun activities and information from numerous branches of military will be located in the Exhibition Hall and around the Fairgrounds. Military equipment will also be on the grounds. Be sure to check it out!

Red Cross Blood Drive, 1:00-6:00 p.m. in the Exhibition Hall lobby
New and returning donors are encouraged to donate. All presenting donors will receive a FREE Red Cross t-shirt, a coupon for FREE ice cream at the 4-H Leaders Association stand, located next to the blood drive, and a FREE general admission ticket to come back and enjoy the Fair Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Simply bring your ID or donor card to the Fair. Walk-ins are welcome. Click here for a poster with complete details.

Looking to support the military with a donation?
Operation Homefront collects donations throughout the year and mails care packages to troops serving overseas. They welcome donations at their display in the lobby of the Exhibition Hall throughout the Fair. Check out the list of needed items.

This organization, which serves service members and their families, are also be hosting the annual Back To School Brigade at the Fair. If you'd like to donate to the Brigade, any school supplies, including notebooks, pencils, pens, calculators, rulers, loose-leaf paper, binders, etc., will be accepted.

Special Flag Ceremonies
The American Legion Post 59 of Stoughton will be raising the flags at 11:00 a.m. and lowering the flags at 8:00 p.m. Join us for this special salute to our flag.
 
Wellness Sessions, presented by Wellness for Veterans and Family, in the Waubesa Room in the Exhibition Hall
Attend one or all three of these special FREE wellness sessions! First timers and experts are welcome. No need to sign up in advance. All are welcome - military background not required.

Mindful Meditation, 12:30-1:00 p.m.
This course is designed to introduce a variety of Mindfulness meditation practices as a way of reducing stress, and developing greater balance, acceptance and fuller participation in your life. Mindfulness is a way of relating directly to whatever is happening in your life including the challenges of stress, pain, illness and everyday demands.

Relaxation Training, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Learn how to quiet the mind and ease the heart. Just as we can condition the body with exercise to improve physical performance and handle physical challenges, we can condition the nervous system to improve performance in the face of stress challenges. Relaxation is the process of conditioning the nervous system to cope with stress, including depression, anxiety, anger, grief, pain, obsessive thinking and illness. This free, drop-in session teaches participants to achieve the physiological state of deep relaxation through a variety of techniques.

Tai Chi, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Experience stillness within movement. This class series teaches a slow, graceful exercise that enhances relaxation skills, mental focus and attention, physical alignment and self awareness. The practice is ideal for pain, stress, and weight management, as well as safely increasing strength, flexibility and coordination. The fundamental movement patterns promote mindful awareness, efficiency of movement and economy of effort in the midst of all daily activities and interactions.

 

Special Military-Only Activities

The Dane County Fair is pleased to host Military Appreciation Day on Thursday, July 19. 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! 

Want to get the latest information about this special day? Confirm your attendance on the Military Appreciation Day Facebook event page.

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. You'll also be invited to wear a red, white and blue ribbon, to help us recognize you as a service member. All Fair attendees will have the opportunity to wear yellow ribbons to your their support, thanks to Operation Homefront.

Mobile Vet Center
Located on Fairgrounds Drive
The Madison Vet Center will be hosting the Mobile Vet Center at the Fair! The Mobile Vet Center is a motorized vehicle that travels the country, providing readjustment counseling and information resources to veterans. Like community-based Vet Centers, Mobile Vet Centers focus on services that help veterans make the difficult transition between military and civilian life. Learn more about this wonderful resource on the US Department of Veterans Affairs website.

Operation Homefront Party
Located in Hall B of the Exhibition Hall
Operation Homefront will offer family fun and games for the kids in Hall B of the Exhibition Hall from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Back To School Brigade, brought to you by Operation Homefront
Located in Hall B of the Exhibition Hall
They will also be hosting the annual Back To School Brigade. School aged children of military and veteran families can come and pick up necessary school supplies for the upcoming school year. Interested in donating to the Brigade? Operation Homefront accepts all school supplies, including notebooks, pencils, pens, calculators, rulers, loose-leaf paper, binders, etc.

Operation Homefront Quiet Zone
Located within Hall B of the Exhibition Hall
Families with young children will want to visit the Quiet Zone where they can rest with or change their little ones.

Resources at the Fair
Along with fun at the Fair, take advantage of valuable resources by visiting the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital exhibit. They'll be checking blood pressure, offering My HealtheVet demonstrations and answering all of your questions about enrollment, eligibility and benefits, including OEF/OIF/OND health and Women Veteran Benefits.

Organizations with displays at the Fair include:

  • Always Remembered
  • Dane County Veterans Service Office 
  • Madison Navy League
  • Madison Vet Center
  • Madison VA Wellness Program
  • Operation Homefront
  • RSVP of Dane County – Vets Helping Vets
  • The Clothesline Project: Presented by Madison VA Wellness Program
  • Toys for Tots
  • VA Regional Office
  • Veterans of Foreign Wars
  • William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital
  • Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, Office of Veteran Services and Wisconsin Job Center