Grain fed to deep fried, you can get more bang for you and your little buckaroos at the Kentucky State Fair this year and still keep it local.
Indulging in lunch options that you just don’t consider for the rest of the year is all part and parcel of dining at the State Fair. Giant ears of buttery roasted corn, the one that makes us giggle to say it -pork butt on a stick, the cool swirl of a pineapple whip, chocolate-laced Frisbees that are funnel cakes all raise the bar on food as entertainment and certainly rattles your cholesterol.
This is one of the few times of the year when “local” goes statewide so get your KSF program and use it as a guide to all that is home grown, home baked or home fried. And yes, there is plenty of Go Green in between.
Kentucky Proud will have a presence in other locations as well. The program’s farmers’ market will be back outside the corner of the West Hall. And exhibitors who show livestock born and raised in Kentucky will be eligible for additional premiums through the Kentucky Proud Livestock Tag Program.
“The Kentucky State Fair gives the Kentucky Department of Agriculture an opportunity to show the public some of the things we do for every Kentuckian every day,” Agriculture Commissioner James Comer said. “I hope all Kentuckians will come out Aug. 16-26 and enjoy some farm-fresh food from our Kentucky Proud producers.”
Also noting the press release from Comer’s office: The South Wing will feature an area where Commissioner Comer, as his schedule permits, will greet fairgoers and answer questions about agriculture in the Commonwealth. This is his first state fair since he was elected agriculture commissioner last November.
A wide-ranging selection of Food and Music Tents are there to quench thirst, make your mouth water and bring music to your ears. Local food as well as local performing artists are set up through the entire eleven-day run.
The new KDA display in the West Wing looks like the side of a barn with a fence around it. Kentucky Proud vendors will give product demonstrations and offer samples of their foods.
A few Facebook foodies commented on their favorites:
Lenore Slawsky -Corn on the cob, love it. going tomorrow with my son, counting the year I was pregnant with him this makes 34 years in a row
Georgia Williams – Pretzel, grater taters, and BBQ beef sammie, and my absolute fav…Blueberry creme at the honey booth!!
April Croslin Morgan – The pineapple whip is one of my most flavorful childhood memories.
Wally Stewart – t used to be an Elephant Ear, before I started eating healthier, and it’s now harder to eat at the fair. At the Indiana Fair, last week, I had a spinach, black beans and rice burrito, which was wonderful and I’d love to find one at KY. Also, the corn.
Bob Bahr – A sandwich at the Pork Producers tent
Marianne Schroeder – The corn on the cob!!!
What are your fair food traditions or new favorites? Feel free to list here or visit the TGIF Local Lunch Post on Facebook to share your thoughts.
Thanks for joining us in being Kentucky Proud and Louisville Loyal. Remember, don’t board the Tilt-A-Whirl too soon after a meal.
