State Fairs

quote:

Originally posted by ynotryme

This is one of the reasons why:
[list of bands appearing...]

HOLY CANNOLI! I just re-read a bunch of older posts, ynotryme is right. I would LOVE to do what Ellen's doing and fly in for the fair. But my thesis is due in the middle of it ... sigh.

NY state fair go-ers have fun! Report back! [ynotryme, it would be great if you'd post a music report on what you see in the misc/off-topic forum.

If you have ever been to one state fair, you basically have been to them all. Basic same foods, with a few twists that relate to that particular state.
Terry

The Iowa State Fair's Food Directory:
http://www.iowastatefair.org/entertainment/fooddirectory.php

quote:

Originally posted by blizzardstormus

The Iowa State Fair's Food Directory:
http://www.iowastatefair.org/entertainment/fooddirectory.php

A dozen tenderloins listed! That's 10 more than Minnesota.

quote:

Originally posted by ceciflinn

quote:

Originally posted by ynotryme

This is one of the reasons why:
[list of bands appearing...]

HOLY CANNOLI! I just re-read a bunch of older posts, ynotryme is right. I would LOVE to do what Ellen's doing and fly in for the fair. But my thesis is due in the middle of it ... sigh.

NY state fair go-ers have fun! Report back! [ynotryme, it would be great if you'd post a music report on what you see in the misc/off-topic forum.

Too bad Alice Cooper won't be at the fair the same time I'll be there.
Have'nt seen him perform since my high school days, and I could definitely go for "no more Mr. Nice Guy, no more Mr. Cleeeean...", and "lines form on my face and my hands...I'm eighteen, I don't know what I want"..

I might just go pop that CD in while I go jogging later..

I've enjoyed seeing acts like Wierd Al Yankovich perform at the Orange County Fair in CA. And I liked seeing Carrot Top as well.
It was nice that it was included in admission. And when I worked for the airlines at LAX about 7 years ago, I even flew to Nebraska to go to the State Fair, just for fun. And I saw Wayne Newton performing there, believe it or not. That was about $10.00 extra.

I went to what is called "state fair NJ" at the Meadowlands in July.
One cannot help feeling that they are walking on the black tar pavement of the parking lot of Giants Stadium!! (cause you are).
I quickly learned that the best kept secret is to use the bathrooms inside Giant Stadium instead of the porto-potties. (and you can get a great look at the football field)

There is also an actual NJ State Fair, held up in Sussex County, NJ., with all that 4H stuff. (the Giants Stadium one was strictly rides, (no animals) and shows like the sword swallower, etc....

At least at the NYS fair, there should be lots of green grass!
And a way more country like feeling.

If any of you roadfooders are going to be at the NYS fair Labor Day weekend, let me know. We can meet in the wine tasting tent!

To give you an idea of the layout
New York State Fair map

quote:

Originally posted by blizzardstormus

The Iowa State Fair's Food Directory:
http://www.iowastatefair.org/entertainment/fooddirectory.php

Any idea what walking tacos are?

WALKING TACOS
Beef Promotions of IA – SE Corner of Walnut Square
IA Sheep Industry – East Side of Sheep barn
M & E Cunningham – North Side of Grand Ave
WDM Methodist Men – NE Corner of Sheep Barn

bill voss-
I believe that is just another name for Fritos Pie.

http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Photo.aspx?RefID=1381&PhotoID=3555

One of my favortie things about the Indiana State Fair is the working drug store with old fashioned soda foutain right on the grounds. # 18 on the map

That and the smoked pork chops, and grilled corn among other things.

quote:

Originally posted by bill voss

quote:

Originally posted by blizzardstormus

The Iowa State Fair's Food Directory:
http://www.iowastatefair.org/entertainment/fooddirectory.php

Any idea what walking tacos are?

WALKING TACOS
Beef Promotions of IA – SE Corner of Walnut Square
IA Sheep Industry – East Side of Sheep barn
M & E Cunningham – North Side of Grand Ave
WDM Methodist Men – NE Corner of Sheep Barn

That's right, Buffetbuster, they open a bag of Fritos corn chips, toss in taco meat, chesse and toppings and hand you a fork/spork, whatever.

DD

quote:

Originally posted by myterry2

If you have ever been to one state fair, you basically have been to them all. Basic same foods, with a few twists that relate to that particular state.
Terry

That's not true at all!
Sure, the commercial vendors food can be a little of the same old, same old but that's where it ends.
I enjoy most of the not for profit stands. I have found some real gems at regional fairs.
But that's not what draws me to a fair in the fist place. It's all about the exibits and competitions held there. You have to venture off the midway to see what you are missing. Chow Jim

quote:

Originally posted by Jimeats

That's not true at all!
Sure, the commercial vendors food can be a little of the same old, same old but that's where it ends.
I enjoy most of the not for profit stands. I have found some real gems at regional fairs.
But that's not what draws me to a fair in the fist place. It's all about the exhibits and competitions held there. You have to venture off the midway to see what you are missing. Chow Jim

I wholeheartedly agree Jimeats.

Hey btw, I consider Topsfield "my" state fair... do you??
I love a lot about it, especially the giant pumpkin, but I don't know much about the food. I had a gobbler sandwich thing last year that I thought was very tasty. Otherwise I didn't sample enough - if I had suggestions I'd sample more!!! [Jim or anyone else in MA?!]

Cheers

quote:

Originally posted by myterry2 If you have ever been to one state fair, you basically have been to them all. Basic same foods, with a few twists that relate to that particular state.
Terry

Not so. I finally got to see the Illinois State Fair because I was commissioned to do an article by Route 66 Magazine, and it's precious little like Wisconsin's. Both serve cream puffs and have a dairy building, but other than that it's a whole nother animal. It was a thorough blast, too.

I went to the Indiana State Fair last week and had a Pork Burger...it was so good! We are going back this weekend and it is going to be so hard to decide what food to eat!

Awww!

http://news.aol.com/story/_a/indiana-state-fair-bans-trans-fats/20070815094109990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001

We used to enjoy going to the Indiana State Fair, followed a week or so later by the Kentucky State Fair (in Louisville). This year with the temps shooting over 100 on a daily basis (104 at this moment in the shade of my front porch) We are not going to put ourselves in the sun that much. Wish it were cooler, or even rainy, but with this heat, the fun fades rapidly.

quote:

Originally posted by Big Ugly Mich
I finally got to see the Illinois State Fair because I was commissioned to do an article by Route 66 Magazine, and it's precious little like Wisconsin's. Both serve cream puffs and have a dairy building, but other than that it's a whole nother animal. It was a thorough blast, too.

Hey there Big Ugly Mich, are you gonna post a trip report here or do we have to get the magazine [don't think I can unless they put it online...]. Was it good??
THANKS!!!


p.s. Jimeats or anyone, any Topsfield comments??

The Topsfield Fair is probably the best fair in the state of Ma.
It's the oldest fair in the country and trys real hard to stick to the old fair exibits. We have the largest number agricultural exibits than any other fair in the area. Many large barns dedicated to each category.
Most of the entertainment is free, they just started charging last year for one headliner and are doing the same this year. Not sure who it is, and to be honest I really don't care.
The food offerings are about the same as you would see elsewhere, most of those vendors travel the circut. The real gems are the local not for profit organizations, they do it right, put their best foot forward and they don't gouge the crouds. Demolay booth I think it's about $1.50 for a burger, American Legion booth $1.00 for hot steamed corn on the cob, soft drinks $1.00 hot mulled cider also a buck. The Congregational church booth also has some fine offerings at resonable prices. I could go on and on but I fear I'd leave someone out. It's a full day of entertainment for short money. www.topsfieldfair.org
Chow Jim

We were just at the Dakota County Fair. County fair food is not really on par with state fair food, particularly in Minnesota, but I thought you guys might appreciate these:

and smiling for her hot beef commercial close-up:

thanks, Nancypalooza..
the lady looks nice, but I want to see the BEEF !

where's that hot roast beef at?!?

only 5 more days till the start of the New York State Fair and 6 days before I go

quote:

Originally posted by ynotryme

only 5 more days till the start of the New York State Fair and 6 days before I go

ooohhhh so jealous. if i could just see one or two of those bands and eat one or two meals there i'd be happy... sigh.

The Minnesota State Fair starts this Thursday, August 23 and runs to Labor Day. Here's a warm up - cheese curds and beer from the Food Building.

I'm drooling over that cheese curds and beer!!

I have to feel sorry for those attending the Iowa State Fair.
All those candidates that are there stumping for votes must be a real pain in the butt.
The group of people that travel with them such as security, news people, aids and anyone else that wants face time on TV has to put a damper on a day at the Fair.
Then again they could do some good, offer to sit in a dunk tank for a charity. Chow Jim

quote:

Originally posted by scrubnurseshelbie

I'm drooling over that cheese curds and beer!!

Me too!

For the first time, we may be going to the MD State Fair in Timonium. Would love some recs if anyone has any -- we'll have one or both kids with us (Matt is 13, Emily is 6).

Let me know if you have any thoughts -- thanks!

ellen, you gotta forgive me. I did not take a picture of the beef. I ate it. Next time I will snap before I eat. :)

I can't wait for the New York State Fair to start! Can't go until Friday and I'm craving everything now. Gianelli's Sausage/pepper/onions, Dino BBQ ribs, lobster rolls, 25 cent chocolate milk, gyros, london broil sandwich, fried dough, candy apples, fudge.......I'm getting hungry!

I always check out the year's butter sculpture, the "informercial" building, animal barns, and catch an act at Miller's Court (or whatever they named it this year).

quote:

Originally posted by joanie41
For the first time, we may be going to the MD State Fair in Timonium. Would love some recs if anyone has any -- we'll have one or both kids with us (Matt is 13, Emily is 6).

Let me know if you have any thoughts -- thanks!

I don't recall a super great amount of choices from last year, but they definitely had the fried twinkies and oreos. I had a very good lamb sandwich at the Mayland food area (the non-carny trucks - not that there's anything wrong with them).

It was 7,000 degrees when I went last year so I quickly got the lamb and hurried to the horse racing grandstand that was in the shade. I'll be on the lookout for good stuff this weekend. Be SURE to check out the pig races!

Thanks,

Kevin