Native Americans from across Wisconsin attended a tailgate before the Milwaukee Brewers took on the Los Angeles Dodgers at American Family Field Thursday.

But this wasn’t any ordinary tailgate — next to a table holding brats, hot dogs and a tray of cookies was another table where people could register to vote.

The event, organized by Wisconsin Native Vote, had a simple goal: increase voter turnout among Native American voters in the upcoming fall election.

“My message to you is: Sko Vote Den,” Anne Egan-Waukau, an organizer of the event, said during the tailgate.

“Sko Vote Den” is a playful, phonetic spelling of “Let’s go vote, then.”

Gloria Waabigwan Wiggins, the northern regional organizer for Wisconsin Native Vote, said the tailgate was a way to get people together to talk about the importance of voting.

“If you don’t vote, I feel like you’re surrendering your voice,” Waabigiwan Wiggins said. “As Native people, our population is so low, it’s important for us to exercise our right and make sure our voices are heard.” 

Organizers said around 1,000 people from Wisconsin’s 11 federally recognized tribes attended the tailgate and game. Several speakers talked about the importance of voting, while people could register to vote and sign up to learn more about the election during the tailgate.

Mark Denning, a member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, emceed the event.

“It’s (voting) so very important,” Denning said. “The least of us in number, is as important as the most of us in number in this country.” 

Wisconsin Native Vote, an initiative of Wisconsin Conservation Voices, is aimed at increasing voter turnout. Organizers with the group knock on doors and put billboards up. On Thursday, they took yet another approach to reach voters.

The 2020 U.S. Census counted roughly 60,000 American Indians and Alaskan Natives living in Wisconsin. And in a state where elections are often decided by a small margin of votes, every vote counts.

The latest NPR/PBS News/Marist poll found Vice President Kamala Harris is leading former President Donald Trump 51 to 48 percent among registered voters.

Joseph DeCora, a member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, now lives in Milwaukee. He said it’s exciting that Indigenous voters could help swing the national election this fall. 

“If we all get out there and vote as one, we could make a change,” DeCora said. “Our voices, our opinions, stuff that we’re voting for, the person that we’re voting for — it all will be heard.” 

A report from Native Vote found roughly 1.2 million American Indians or Alaskan Natives who can vote are not registered.

DeCora, who was at the event with his family, said he votes in every election. This election season, he has signed up to receive text alerts. He said he sometimes hears from friends and family who don’t know how to register to vote or where to do so. 

“I feel like voting is a way to get your voice out there and heard, without your voice actually being heard,” DeCora said. “That’s why I vote.” 

Organizers said issues that are important to tribal members include the opioid epidemic, cost of living, tribal sovereignty, climate change, clean water and reproductive rights. 

For Denning, he said he’s voting for his daughter Isabel, who died by suicide. He said access to mental health care is one of the most important issues he’s paying attention to this election.

“To me, when someone wants mental health(care)… whoever it is, that wants help, needs and deserves help,” Denning said.

“If politicians stand in the way of mental health and physical health of our people, all of us, we as voters need to stand and say, ‘That’s not right,’” he added.

Heavy rain is expected in northeastern Wisconsin starting Thursday afternoon until midnight, before picking up again on Friday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. Some places could see as much as 2 inches of rain depending on how the thunderstorms play out.

The National Weather Service told the Press-Gazette that there is a possibility for flooding in low lying and urban areas if hit with heavier rain. Currently, the showers are spreading through central Wisconsin, through Wausau and gradually heading towards Green Bay in the next few hours.

There is a small chance the rain will continue Sunday, alongside a 40% chance of rain on Saturday in the Fox Valley.

According to National Weather Service Meteorologist, Jason Alumbaugh, things look to be a little bit drier after a very wet summer, which has seen multiple floods due to heavy storms.

More: Flooding hits the Fox Valley for second time in 8 days; Lifest campers see flooded tents

“June was definitely wet, July was wet in spots as far as how things compared to normal. We’ve kind of slowed a little bit as far as the frequency of the heavier rain we were seeing earlier in the summer,” Almbaugh said “But that’s the way it looks right now. The next two weeks might try to trend a little drier than normal the way it looks right now.”

Rashad Alexander can be reached at ralexander@gannett.com.

The Central Wisconsin State Fair returns to the Marshfield Fairgrounds Aug. 20-25 with live music, a demolition derby, bull riding, carnival, classic fair foods and more.

MARSHFIELD − The Central Wisconsin State Fair returns to the Marshfield Fairgrounds, 513 E. 17th St., Aug. 20-25 with fun and activities for all ages.

This year’s activities include live music, a demolition derby, bull riding, animal judging, a carnival, classic fair food favorites, a variety of vendors and much more.

Here’s your 2024 guide to the Wood County fair.

Who is performing at the Central Wisconsin State Fair?

Dylan Scott, Hairball and Daughtry will headline the grandstand at this year’s Central Wisconsin State Fair.

Dylan Scott will perform at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 21. Scott is a singer and songwriter with country hits including “Hooked,” “Nobody,” “My Girl” and “New Truck.” He has been nominated as best new country artist at the iHeartRadio Music Awards, earned the 2021 CMT Music Award for breakthrough video of the year, and was a 2023 Academy of Country Music Awards nominee for new male artist of the year.

Hairball will return to the fair at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 22 by popular demand. Hairball is a rock band that plays homage to acts like Van Halen, KISS, Motley Crue, Queen, Journey and Aerosmith.

Daughtry will perform at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 23. Daughtry is a rock band fronted by namesake Chris Daughtry, who finished fourth on Season 5 of “American Idol” in 2006. The band is best known for its hits “What About Now,” “It’s Not Over,” “Home” and “No Surprise.”

What else is happening in the grandstand?

Rice Rodeo Co. will perform “Bulls, Broncs -N- Barrels” at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 24. The show includes bull riding, comedy, special acts and other entertainment.

Obsession with Destruction Demolition Derby will start at 2 p.m. Aug. 25. Drivers will battle to see who can make it to the finals for a chance to win prize money.

How much does grandstand admission cost?

• Dylan Scott: $35 for grandstand seating, $45 for trackside standing and $75 for VIP seating
• Hairball: $25 for grandstand seating, $35 for trackside standing and $45 for VIP seating
• Daughtry: $40 for grandstand seating, $50 for trackside standing and $80 for VIP seating
• Bulls, Broncs -N- Barrels: $25 for those 13 years and older, $15 for youths 5 to 12 and free for children 4 years and younger
• Obsession with Destruction Demolition Derby: $25 for those 13 years and older, $15 for youths 5 to 12 and free for children 4 years and younger

This year, purchasing grandstand tickets includes the cost of gate admission, if purchased before entering the fair. Season tickets do not include grandstand entertainment when tickets for shows are required. Tickets can be purchased online at centralwisconsinstatefair.com/p/tickets or at the fair office.

When will the carnival be open at the fair?

Mr. Ed’s Magical Midways returns to the Central Wisconsin State Fair and will offer a new schedule this year. The carnival will be open starting at 2 p.m. Aug. 21-23 and at noon Aug. 24-25.

Wristbands will be available for $25 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 21-23 and noon to 5 p.m. Aug. 25, for $30 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 21-23, and for $35 from noon to 5 p.m. Aug. 24. Individual ride tickets also will be available for purchase daily, according to the fair’s website.

Wristbands are not valid on the bumper cars or Gravity Storm bungee jump. Wristbands can be purchased in advance at the Mr. Ed’s website at mredsmidway.com.

Local youths will showcase projects and animals during the fair

Hundreds of Wood County youths will exhibit thousands of projects as part of the Junior Fair. The Junior Fair allows youths to display their projects and get feedback from state-licensed judges.

Junior Fair animal judging takes place daily and includes everything from horses, dairy, beef, rabbits and sheep to cats, llamas, swine, goats and poultry.

Non-animal projects will also be displayed throughout the fair in the Junior Fair Exhibition Building. Projects include everything from woodworking, photography, cultural arts, and food and nutrition to health and citizenship, youth leadership, knitting and crocheting, and mechanical sciences.

There will also be a Dress-A-Cow contest at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Jer Lang Show Palace, and Pleasure Valley Pig & Duck Races multiple times throughout the week. The Central Wisconsin State Fair Horse Pull will start at 6 p.m. Aug. 23, and the Meyer Farms 10 Horse Pyramid Hitch draft horse show at 6 p.m. Aug. 24.

How much is admission for the Central Wisconsin State Fair?

Daily admission to the fair costs $10 for everyone 13 and older, $5 for children 5-12 and free for children 4 and younger. Season gate passes are $30 for adults, $15 for children and free for those 4 and younger. Season passes can be purchased in the fair office or on the website at centralwisconsinstatefair.com. Daily admission passes can be purchased at the gate on the day you arrive.

On Tuesday only, tickets are half price for adults and free for children 12 and younger. Those who enter at Gate D (at the corner of Peach Avenue and 17th Street) between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Tuesday are admitted for free.

Senior Citizen Day is Wednesday, and adults ages 62 and older will be admitted to the fair for $5 from open to close with a valid ID. Wednesday is also Veterans Appreciation Day, and all active and retired military personnel and their spouse or significant other will be admitted to the fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $5 with a military ID.

Take advantage of the BOGO special from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 24. Buy one adult pass and get the second adult or child pass for free.

How much does it cost to park?

Parking at the Central Wisconsin State Fair is free, and visitors are encouraged to park in the general parking area, which is located by Gate D. It is a grassy area off of Peach Avenue and 17th Street, according to a fair spokesperson.

Where can I find more information about the fair?

For more information, visit centralwisconsinstatefair.com or find Central Wisconsin State Fair on Facebook.

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Editor Jamie Rokus can be reached at jrokus@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter at @Jamie_Rokus.