Free Fan Zone – Free to the Public

Please note, this information is not updated for 2026 yet.

Step into the electric atmosphere of the Free Fan Zone at the Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250 Weekend!

Open and free to the public, the Free Fan Zone is located in the heart of the Wisconsin State Fair Park, just outside the Milwaukee Mile Grandstands. This lively area is the perfect place to grab delicious food, kick back with some live music, and enjoy family fun programs before or after your incredible Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250 Weekend.

Scroll down to see food offerings, shopping deals, and more!

Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250 Weekend Schedule

Due to changes in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice on Saturday, the Fan Forum originally scheduled on Saturday morning will no longer take place as the drivers will be on the track during that window. While we worked closely with the INDYCAR team to come up with a solution for this schedule update, with a busy weekend ahead, there was no way time to accommodate the Fan Forum at a different time or date.

We promise to still bring all the energy and excitement this weekend and encourage fans to check out our other fan experiences, including autograph sessions, live music, and the Zoom Zoom Zone!

6:00am: Parking Lots Open 

7:00am: Security Entrances & Free Fan Zone Open

7:45am: Garages Open**

7:45am: Grandstands Open*

8:05am-8:55am: INDY NXT by Firestone Practice*

10:00am-11:00am: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice* 

11:00am-11:45am: INDY NXT by Firestone Driver Autograph Session

1:00pm-2:00pm: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Qualifying*

2:35pm-3:20pm: INDY NXT by Firestone Qualifying* 

3:45pm-4:00pm: NTT INDYCAR SERIES High Line Practice (Group A)* 

4:00pm-4:15pm: NTT INDYCAR SERIES High Line Practice (Group B)* 

4:30pm-5:30pm: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Final Practice*

5:30pm: Bella Cain at Bank Five Nine Amphitheater

8:00pm: Security Entrances Close 

9:00pm: Event & Free Fan Zone Close

*Race ticket required.
**Race ticket & Garage Pass required.
 Schedule subject to change. Schedule is in Central Time.

7:00am: Parking Lots Open 

8:00am: Security Entrances & Free Fan Zone Open

8:00am: Garages Open** 

9:00am: Grandstands Open* 

9:00am-9:45am NTT INDYCAR SERIES Driver Autograph Session

10:30am: INDY NXT by Firestone Race*

12:30pm: Pre-Race Ceremonies* 

1:00pm: Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Race*

5:00pm: Security Entrances Close 

6:00pm: Event & Free Fan Zone Close 

*Race ticket required.
**Race ticket & Garage Pass required.
 Schedule subject to change. Schedule is in Central Time.

Event Highlights – Free to the Public

Driver Autograph Sessions

Stop by to see your favorite driver and leave with some autographed memorabilia! American Legion will be hosting the official NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT by Firestone driver autograph sessions as well as interactive games throughout the weekend, all while providing additional information to Veterans. Located on Central Avenue.

  • INDY NXT by Firestone Driver Autograph Session | Saturday, August 23 from 11:00am – 11:45am
  • NTT INDYCAR SERIES Driver Autograph Session | Sunday, August 24 from 9:00am-10:00am

Live Music – Bella Cain

Dance the night away with our weekend headliner Bella Cain at the Bank Five Nine Amphitheater on Saturday, August 23 at 5:30pm.

Original Cream Puffs

Original Cream Puffs are making a racing debut! Make a pit stop at the Cream Puffs To-Go Stand on Grandstand Avenue and enjoy the fastest weekend in Wisconsin with a classic Cream Puff in hand. 

Zoom Zoom Zone

When the engines cool down, the action heats up off the track in the brand-new Zoom Zoom Zone! Find Family Fun with an abundance of activities in the Zoom Zoom Zone, located in front of the Exposition Center, including:

  • Track Time Tire Stack
  • Powered Up Pedal Cars
  • Kids' Pit Stop
  • Milwaukee Mile Amazing Maze

Activations – Free to the Public

  • Stop by to see your favorite driver and leave with some autographed memorabilia! American Legion will be hosting the official NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT by Firestone driver autograph sessions as well as interactive games throughout the weekend, all while providing additional information to Veterans. Located on Central Avenue.
    INDY NXT by Firestone Driver Autograph Session | Saturday, August 23 from 5:45pm – 6:30pm
    NTT INDYCAR SERIES Driver Autograph Session | Sunday, August 24 from 9:00am-10:00am
  • Wonder what it is like to drive in the fast lane? Check out the Firestone Experience located in Central Park. The Firestone Experience offers anyone the opportunity to hop on a driving simulator and join in on the fun in Central Park.
  • Merch galore! Stop our many specialized racing shops for your shirts, sweatshirts, and hat needs including the Official INDYCAR Merchandise trailer, Team Penske Merch Shop, Pato Merch Shop, Guts Wear Shop, and Victory Lane Shop.

Plus, see activations for the following as well:

  • Air National Guard
  • Capital Vacations
  • Connect Chiropractic
  • Empire Home Remodeling
  • Gruber Law Offices
  • INDYCAR Ministry
  • Twin Power Scanner
  • S. Army Recruiting Battalion Milwaukee

Food & Shopping

For delicious food options, there will be nearly 20 restaurants and concession stands open. This includes several in the Free Fan Zone as well as 4 operating concessions on the upper concourse of the Grandstands.

  • Badger Bites
  • Benno's Leinie Lodge
  • Blue Moon Tavern at the Park
  • Buzzy Badger
  • Cream Puffs To-Go Stand
  • Fiesta Grill & Cantina
  • Grandstand Concessions – 4 stands (credit/debit only)
  • Krautland
  • Laura's Gourmet Popcorn – 2 stands (cash only)
  • Leadfoots Race Bar & Grill (cash only)
  • Leff's Miller Lite Sports Bar & Grill
  • The Micro
  • Mille's Italian Sausage
  • Old Fashioned Lemonade (cash only)
  • Pistol Pete's
  • Pop's Paradise
  • Roasted Corn
  • Robert's Restaurant
  • Slim McGinn's Irish Pub
  • Sodalish
  • Ultimate Confections
  • Wild Dog Saloon
  • Wineberry

*Subject to change

For exclusive racing merch and more, find plenty of shopping options throughout the Free Fan Zone!

  • Official Race Merchandise on South Grandstand Avenue
  • Official INDYCAR Merchandise in Central Park
  • Central Marketplace near the Bank Five Nine Amphitheater
    • BellaBro Design
    • From the Locker Room
    • Fuma Cigars
    • Hiawatha WoodWorks
    • Hollyville
    • Jim's Cribbage Boards
    • MRM
    • Prairie Junction Farms
    • Rustic Oak
    • Shades of Fun
    • Wiki Woolz & Wares

*Subject to change