The buzz of fair time is officially upon us. Families are loading their trailers, organizing their tackboxes and heading to the local/county/state fair. For many 4-H and FFA members this is the moment they have been working toward all summer.
It’s where all showman started, where some very dedicated members earned their 10-year exhibitor pin and all show families spend at least one week of summer vacation every year. There are, no doubt, a lot of memories, tears and family arguments that all can be associated with the fair.
However, one of my all time, without a doubt, hands down favorite things about fair season is… the food! Pulling onto the grounds first thing in the morning and already smelling mini donuts, left over funnel cakes and the aroma of deep fried everything. The tricky part is picking a favorite guilty pleasure (and let’s be honest I don’t pick just one)! So today I’m going to share with you the top nine Ranch House favorites.
FUNNEL CAKES
The hands down winner. Everyone likes theirs a little differently, some with extra powdered sugar, some with just a little powdered sugar and then there’s the red velvet variety. The bottom line? We just have to have one!
Deep fried sweets
You name it; you can find it at the fair. Deep fry an oreo, twinkie, candy bar, tortillas with cinnamon and sugar (commonly known as elephant ears to my friends in the northwest) and we will eat it.
Lemonade/Lemon Shake Ups
The REAL stuff. Chunks of real lemon, as much sugar as you can handle and shaken right in front of you by a 4-H or FFA member is about as close to heaven as it gets.
If you’ve ever been to the Iowa State Fair, you know all about this one…
The Iowa State Fair milkshakes! I think the picture of the line outside the milkshake stand speaks for itself. If you don’t give yourself a daily brain-freeze on one of these did you really even go to the fair?
Corn dog/corn brat
This one really speaks for itself.
On-a-stick
Did you know that there are some state fairs that boast to having more than 70 items “on-a-stick”? Pork-ka-bobs, sausage on a stick, chocolate dipped cheesecake, deep friend bacon with maple glaze on a stick, yes please! It’s convenient and delicious.
Kettle corn
We’ve all tried to make it at home or eaten the imitation versions, but there is just nothing like getting it straight from the big black kettle at the fair.
Fort Worth’s cinnamon rolls
These are the size of your head and dripping in gooey frosting. So filling you probably don’t need to eat for the rest of the day… but you will!
The “local favorites” stand
Each state has local cuisine that you can only fully enjoy at that state fair. Whether it’s blue crab cakes in Maryland, tamales in Houston or buffalo burgers in Denver, the local favorites should never be missed.
Now that your mouth is watering, tell us your fair favorites! Was there one we missed or that is a must-try?
Editor’s Note: This post was written by Ashley Fitzsimmons, Ranch House account manager.