Deep Fried State Fair



Honest Abe-The Rail Splitter
greets guests at the gate



This week I was invited to join a group of tourism professionals at the Illinois State Fair.  The Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau recieved an Agriculture Tourism Award for its Tenth Annual Heritage Tractor Adventure which took place earlier this summer.

The State Fair is another one of those great things that many people never think to do if they are not directly related to agriculture.

 

Some in our group had never been to the State Fair, and a few hadn't even been to small county fairs.  (City Slickers!)

We wandered through the booths, saw the animals and we ate...A LOT. 

The State Fair is a Deep Fried Fantasy!

You see, you can eat food at the State Fair that you would never dare to eat at home.  I am now convinced that anything can be skewered on a stick, batter dipped, deep fried and served on a paper plate.

Here are some pictures to prove it!



Deep Fried Kool-Aid!



Batter dipped, deep fried...
BACON!!

Beautiful Candy
Apples

Fresh from the Dairy!

Deep Fried Pickles?
Two thumbs up!!

Our Favorites?

The batter dipped, deep fried bacon was fantastic! 

Those of us with a sweet tooth enjoyed the deep fried twinkies, oreos, brownies, key lime pie, cheesecake and snicker bars as well as deep fried peaches and cream and giant cream puffs.

If you prefer a more savory treat--The batter dipped, deep fried pickles, deep fried bacon and batter dipped cheese curds, turkey legs and cheese on a stick were a hit.

If you are a deep fried "foodie" the State Fair is the place to be!

Watch for another State Fair post soon!