During our last trip to the Fryeburg Fair, the quasi state fair that happens each fall in Fryeburg, Maine, we ordered food from many different vendors. At one of them, I swear those donuts were almost as big as our heads. You can also get deep-fried Oreos at the Fryeburg and, of course, whoopie pies.
While doughnuts are pretty staid when it comes to food at the fair, in other places state fairs are a breeding ground for outlandish food creations. Vendors push the very definition of food with surprising and sometimes bizarre combinations, leaving attendees with lasting memories, both good and bad.
Whether you are an adventurous eater or a picky novice, state fairs celebrate innovative food. State fairs typically happen between July and October of each year. So it’s the perfect time to explore the world of state fair foods and begin a wild ride.
A tradition of innovation
State fairs have always been a place where the familiar meets the fantastical. These annual events give vendors a platform to showcase their creativity with dishes that are as surprising as they are delicious.
State fairs have gone from agricultural exhibitions to spectacles bursting with novelty and excitement. Once a venue for communities to gather and celebrate their harvests, they’ve also become a fierce competition for culinary creativity. Each year pushes the boundaries of fair food, with vendors vying to outdo the last with ever-more outrageous and delicious concoctions.
But food innovation at state fairs is not just about shock value. It is about creating novel and exciting experiences for fairgoers. This vibrant and evolving foodscape is a testing ground for ideas that may one day become mainstream.
Craziest state fair food concoctions
Each year, vendors outdo themselves with tempting concoctions. Here are some of the craziest state fair foods that have astonished and delighted fairgoers.
Deep-fried everything
Deep-fried food is a state fair staple, but vendors have taken this technique to new heights. Now, things like fried Oreos or Twinkies just feel ordinary and almost anything can be deep-fried. This year’s Iowa State Fair featured deep-fried bubble gum, pepperoni chips and peanut butter and jelly. The Texas State Fair, on the other hand, has deep-fried sushi bombs and Vietnamese coffee.
Bacon-wrapped bonanza
State fair vendors love bacon and treat it like a culinary magic wand. From the classic bacon-wrapped Oreo to deep-fried bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers, few foods are safe from a bacon embrace. Vendors happily wrap bacon around anything, from mac and cheese bites to juicy, spicy chorizo. This love of all things bacon has led to some truly epic and sometimes questionable culinary creations.
Donut burgers
If you can’t choose between sweet and savory, then donut burgers offer the best of both worlds. These burgers replace the traditional bun with donuts, creating a delicious contrast between the juice patty and the sugary donut. Though strange, this unconventional pairing has a loyal following among those who appreciate bold flavors and contrasting textures.
Fun with funnel cakes
Forget the plain old funnel cake. While the classic fried dough drenched in powdered sugar remains a staple, vendors are getting playful. Your favorite childhood treat is sold alongside crazy concoctions like deep-fried Kool-Aid funnel cakes, funnel cake sandwiches or hot dogs wrapped in funnel cake batter. A delicious and surprising twist puts a whole new spin on this nostalgic favorite.
Snacking on insects
For the truly adventurous, try your hand at the world of entomophagy — eating insects. Crickets, mealworms and other insects are coated in rich chocolate, creating a crunchy, sweet snack that brings out the insects’ earthy flavor. This daring challenge offers a memorable and enjoyable experience not for the faint of heart.
Scream for weird ice cream
Move over vanilla, chocolate and strawberry. Forget your childhood scoops — here, dessert throws convention out the window, along with the bland ice cream flavors you can find at the grocery store. Weird ice cream flavors are quite a hit at fairs. This year’s Minnesota State Fair boasted sweet corn and kettle chip flavors, just a glimpse into the endless possibilities developed by vendors unafraid to experiment.
Corn dog chaos
Corn dogs are a food-on-a-stick classic, but vendors have taken creative twists by introducing vibrant colors, unique textures and unexpected flavors that turn these handheld staples into edible works of art. Forget the traditional batter and embrace unicorn corn dogs, fruity pebble corn dogs and Korean corn dogs for a fresh take on the conventional batter-dipped sausage.
Impact of state fair foods
State fairs can be launching pads, not just showcases for wild culinary inventions. Outrageous creations can go viral on social media and bring attention and popularity to their creators.
These over-the-top eats are more than just food; they’re spectacles and conversation starters designed to be shared and documented. State fair vendors are etching their names in food history, one deep-fried bacon-wrapped-everything at a time.
Try the fare at the fair
A culinary adventure awaits at your state fairgrounds. So step outside your comfort zone, go beyond the usual blooming onion and take a risk. You might discover your new favorite food. Sometimes, the most unexpected combinations create magic.
State fairs in Maine
As far as legit state fairs go in Maine, many are also county fairs, such as the Cumberland County Fair. According to the Maine Association of Agriculture Fairs, here is the list of fairs and festivals for 2024. Note: we realize that we’re posting this late in the season and most have already happened.
Springfield Fair
June 13th-16th
Pittston Fair
June 20th-23rd
Monmouth Fair
June 26th-29th
Union Fair
July 7th-10th
Ossipee Valley Fair
July 11th-14th
Houlton Fair
July 18th-21st
Waterford World’s Fair
July 19th-21st
Northern Maine Fair
July 31st -Aug 4th
Bangor State Fair
July 25th-August 3rd.
Race Date July 25th
Topsham Fair
August 6th-11th
Race Dates August 4,5,6,8,10
Skowhegan State Fair
August 8th-17th
Race Dates 8th-17th
Acton Fair
August 22nd-25th
Piscataquis Valley Fair
August 22nd-25th
Washington County Fair, Pembroke
August 24th-25th
Windsor Fair
August 24th-Sept 2nd
Race Dates August 25th-31st
Sept 1st & 2nd
Blue Hill Fair
August 29th- Sept 2nd
Harmony Free Fair
Aug 30th- Sept 2nd
Clinton Lions Agricultural Fair
September 5th-8th
Litchfield Fair
September 6th-8th
Oxford Fair
September 11th-14th
New Portland Lions Fair
September 13th-15th
Farmington Fair
September 15th-21st
Race Dates Sept.15th-21st
Common Ground Country Fair
September 20th-22nd
Cumberland Fair
September 22nd-28th
Race Dates Sept. 22nd-29th
Fryeburg Fair
Sept 29th -October 6th
Race Dates Oct. 1st-6th
We’ll be sure to update the list for 2025 once it is available.
Portions of this article originally appeared on Food Drink Life.
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