Acknowledging that even motivated eaters are struggling to complete their fried food checklists during a single visit to the fair, an increasing number of state fairs are now offering free lunch passes to stimulate more sampling.
Arkansas this week joined Missouri and Memphis's Mid-South Fair in pushing a program that re-imagines the midway as a vast office cafeteria, with chocolate-dipped fried bacon and hot beef sundaes standing in for grilled cheese sandwiches and Jello salad. Arkansas State Fair spokesman Ralph Eubanks said "Lunch at the Fair," featuring free parking and admission on weekdays from 11 a.m.- 1 p.m, was created in response to clamorous customer demand.
"We've had several requests and we decided to try it," Eubanks says. "We're making it logistically possible to provide workers with a quick corn dog."
Eubanks concedes most folks who punch out for a quick trip to the fair are unlikely to stick to what he calls "the old standbys": There are 30 new items available at the fair this year, including a taco in a bag and chicken parmesan on a stick. "We just kind of hit the jackpot," Eubanks marvels.
As we bid goodbye to state fair season, this picture reminds us of how good trashy food can be, if done properly. We can already taste the wonderful combination of salty dog offset by a slightly sweet cornbread batter.
This home version is baked, rendering deep-fryer guilt obsolete. A side of coleslaw that looks as if it were made from real cabbage really boosts the health quotient. It's practically a food pyramid on a plate ... or at the very least, an excellent attempt at good-for-you fair food.
In a lot of areas around the US, late August and early September are State Fair season, and while we're sure that there other exciting activities going on all over the fairgrounds, we Slashfoodies pretty much just care about the food.
Same is true for Belly du Jour, who made a trip to the Minnesota State Fair and created the first-ever (we think) video catalog of all the fair foods on a stick, the third and final episode of thier series on fair foods. Sure, we've seen corn dogs, kebabs, and even desserts like a wedge of cheesecake on a stick, but who knew you could eat macaroni and cheese or spaghetti on a stick? Don't worry, not everything is artery-clogging - I think I saw some fruit in there somewhere.
The video log is after the jump, and in full filmmaker style, Belly du Jour even has their outtakes!
I'm planning to head to the Oregon State Fair today, so my friend Larissa sent me this link to a blogger's account of the Kew Horticultural Society's 61st Show. Especially of note was the children's vegetable art - this depiction of a grasshopper (?) took first prize. I'm eager to see what veggie art is displayed at our fair - and thinking I should have my own kids try their hand at veggie art. Surely they can do at least this well?
In a lot of areas around the US, late August and early September are State Fair season, and while we're sure that there other exciting activities going on all over the fairgrounds, we Slashfoodies pretty much just 
I'm planning to head to the 
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