Every once in awhile I find something interesting going on in my hometown of Springfield, IL – whether it be a local event, local flavor or a local view. Each week I’ll bringing a piece of my life to the online world in a series called Let’s Get Local. I encourage anyone and everyone to join in and share a little bit of their own local flair to introduce us to people and places we may never visit.
Last weekend the Illinois State Fair came to a close and while we had a lot of fun there as a family, I’m happy to see it go. With the State Fair comes a lot of foods this “mommy figure” does NOT need. I don’t know about you but when the fair comes to town the first thing I run through the gates for is a Coleman’s lemon-orange shake up. And before I leave I’ve probably downed 3 of them. (hangs head in shame) Yes, they are full of sugar but hey, there’s fruit in there too.
Something else we love to indulge in is the Sutter’s Salt Water Taffy, man oh man is it the best taffy ever…but I was a good girl and didn’t get any. In fact, we avoided most of our fattening favorites like the mini donuts, elephant ears and yes, even the funnel cakes.
What we couldn’t help but notice was some of the freakiest fair food I’ve ever heard of or seen. For starters, ever heard of Fried Pepsi? Yep, it was there. Dough filled with a Pepsi syrup and deep fried. Or how about BBQ parfaits? Shredded Pork BBQ mixed with mashed potatoes in a sundae cup. There was an entire stand dedicated to fried everything, fried pickles, twinkies, tomatoes, candy bars and the one deep fried food I was brave enough to try…deep fried Oreos. Big mistake. After one bite these nasty little buggers hit the garbage. Even my toddler, who eats EVERYTHING, wouldn’t touch them.
By far the freakiest fair food I encountered (and you couldn’t pay me to try) is the Alligator on a Stick. Yes, Alligator. I’ve got a pretty open mind but alligator? Someone must like it because this stand is here every year.
I’ve never been to any other fair’s other than my own, so I’m wondering…what types of food are local to your State Fair? Anything really freaky or something I haven’t mentioned?
About Cat Davis
Cat,
I too would be happy to see the fair leave. The only thing you mentioned that I could probably handle are the Coleman’s Shake-ups and I’m not too sure about that. This will be the first time we’ve attended the fair in new hometown and I guess our first year ever attending a state fair. One thing for sure is that I will definitely eat at home before heading out for the fun. Now, how do I break it to the kids that Mommy, “is not going to buy THAT for you?”
The California State fair is going on right now. I normally go each year and hope to go this year before it ends. They have some pretty wacky food but I have yet to see alligator. I know that this year they have this deep fried breaded hot dog that is inside of a zucchini. I want to try that!
I personally like the deep fried candy bars best. Glad you shared that the oreos are bad. I was going to try those today. The big thing everyone talks about is the French Fries at our fair. Nothing extravagant, but thin fries covered in malt vinegar…yum!
LOVE FRIED FOOD! Your post is so yummy.
um, yeah – I’ve got you beat – they have Tater Pigs at my Idaho state fair – It’s an Idaho potato with a sausage inside. uh-huh. It’s Idaho. Haven’t tried it yet…but we are going on Sunday…so will I be brave? Then of course there is the “Idaho Famous” ice cream potato. I doubt it’s actually potato – maybe just shaped like one? Who knows. Very interesting stuff here!
I’m lucky that I’ve never been into fair food. Not just for the fried, artery clogging badness, but food at our state fair (CA) is ten bucks or more for a plate! We saw the fried foods stand last year with all the same fair, except they also had Paula Deen’s ladies brunch burger (doughnut, fried egg and burger patty) deep fried on a stick! NASTY! Instead husband went over and spent $40 on games and got a pity prize because I walked up with the kids to cut him off and the guy said “oh, well the kids at least need something”!
This is what I get for watching Ni-Hao Kai Lan while commenting! I meant “it’s” and “fare”–shameful!
Not sure what they have on this side of IL LOL because I haven’t been on a fair for years. I don’t think I could eat any of that LOL especially Alligators ugh..
I’ve had alligator on a stick. Tastes kind of like pork
If you want to see something really gross, here is my 8 yr old eating chicken feet!
http://bee-mused.blogspot.com/2009/08/vacay.html
No, I didn’t try them!
I can’t believe people eat alligator!!! Definitely not for me.
I can’t handle any of the wild fair food. Funnel cakes and homemade ice cream are the big hits when we go.