The days are getting shorter and more importantly, cooler (please don’t hate us if you live in Florida). The start of the crisp fall air indicates that somewhere in the country, there’s a state fair.
The history of the state fair can be traced back hundreds of years—from livestock shows, horse races, and agricultural exhibits to modern additions like music festivals, carnival rides, and more. But no matter how far they’ve come or how much they change over time, the state fair celebrates the things that make each state special: its food culture (and its many deep fryers), and its ability to gather together as one community.
Join us as we take on the 9 most mouthwatering state fairs in the United States:
Ohio State Fair
📍 Columbus, Ohio
📅 July 26 – August 6, 2023
🔗 ohiostatefair.com
Our Top 3 Foodie Picks:
1️⃣ Buckeye Candy: Named after the Ohio state tree, these peanut butter and chocolate sweets are an Ohio tradition.
2️⃣ Deep Fried Swiss Cheese on a Stick: Warm, melty, swiss cheese with a crisp shell, this is a fun and delicious snack.
3️⃣ Ohio Cream Puff: An Ohio take on a cream puff, filled with decadent vanilla cream (sorry Ohio, but Wisconsin does it better but yours is a close second)!
Wisconsin State Fair
📍 West Allis, Wisconsin
📅 August 3-13, 2023
🔗 wistatefair.com/fair/
Our Top 3 Foodie Picks:
1️⃣ Cream Puffs: This iconic treat has been a staple since 1924. Bountiful mounds of fresh whipped cream, sandwiched between light and fluffy pastry. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better dessert.
2️⃣ Cheese Curd Tacos: This is where classic Mexican cuisine meets quintessential Wisconsin. Fresh, fried cheese curds wrapped in a soft tortilla, it’s a delightful fusion of flavors.
3️⃣ Wisconsin Brew Pub Loaded Twister Dog: An elaborate, mouth-watering, foot-long hot dog loaded with beer cheese, bacon, fried sauerkraut, and onions.
Indiana State Fair
📍 Indianapolis, Indiana
📅 July 28 – August 20, 2023
🔗 indianastatefair.com/p/state-fair
Our Top 3 Foodie Picks:
1️⃣ Indiana Corn Dogs: This is not your average corn dog! It’s crunchy and delicious, with a fluffy interior surrounding the perfect hot dog.
2️⃣ Nutellaphant Ear: A twist on a whimsical state fair favorite. Generously slathered with Nutella and topped with bananas, strawberries, and powdered sugar.
3️⃣ The Mac Daddy Empanada: Have you ever tried an empanada filled with mac and cheese, pulled pork, and turkey? Likely not. You don’t want to miss this one!
Iowa State Fair
📍 Des Moines, Iowa
📅 August 10-20, 2023
🔗 iowastatefair.org
Our Top 3 Foodie Picks:
1️⃣ Pork Chop on a Stick: When it comes to Iowa’s fair food, pork is king. Don’t miss this succulent, smoky, and satisfying stick-mounted delight.
2️⃣ Hot Beef Sundae: Served with mashed potatoes and gravy, topped with shredded cheese, this ‘sundae’ is a hearty mid-western meal in disguise.
3️⃣ Apple Egg Rolls: A sweet twist on a savory classic, filled with tart apple filling and served with a side of caramel dipping sauce.
Kentucky State Fair
📍 Louisville, Kentucky
📅 August 17-27, 2023
🔗 kystatefair.org
Our Top 3 Foodie Picks:
1️⃣ Kentucky Hot Brown:An open-faced sandwich with turkey and bacon, topped with mornay sauce. It’s a local culinary tradition.
2️⃣ Fried Green Tomatoes: These remind us of Grandma’s fried green tomatoes, but better (sorry Grandma). Crunchy, tart, and simply divine, this is Southern comfort on a plate.
3️⃣ Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie: This rich, boozy dessert perfectly represents the spirit of Kentucky.
Minnesota State Fair
📍 St. Paul, Minnesota
📅 August 24 – September 4, 2023
🔗 mnstatefair.org
Our Top 3 Foodie Picks:
1️⃣ Sweet Martha’s Cookies: Fresh, warm, and gooey, they’re a must-try classic for any cookie lover.
2️⃣ Pronto Pups: Not your average corn dog, it’s made with a wheat-based batter for a distinctive taste.
3️⃣ Cheese Curd Hot Dish: This Minnesotan casserole is a scrumptious blend of tater tots, cream of mushroom soup, and of course, cheese curds.
Arizona State Fair
📍 Phoenix, Arizona
📅 September 22 – October 29, 2023
🔗 azstatefair.com
Our Top 3 Foodie Picks:
1️⃣ Navajo Tacos: An Arizonian classic featuring ground beef, cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes on top of traditional fry bread.
2️⃣ Funnel Cake Sundae: Sweet, warm funnel cake topped with rich ice cream, whipped cream, and a cherry on top.
3️⃣ Cactus Tacos: A unique, must-try treat for the adventurous, these tacos feature sauteed prickly pear cactus.
Texas State Fair
📍 Dallas, Texas
📅 September 29 – October 22, 2023
🔗 bigtex.com
Our Top 3 Foodie Picks:
1️⃣ Funnel Cake Bacon Queso Burger: This masterpiece is a mouthwatering burger with bacon and queso, sandwiched between two fluffy funnel cakes instead of traditional buns.
2️⃣ Fried Butter: It might sound crazy, but it’s a taste you won’t forget – rich, buttery, and fried to perfection.
3️⃣ Deep Fried Texas Bluebonnet: A blueberry muffin, scone-style batter, cream cheese, and white chocolate chips, all beautifully deep-fried.
Florida State Fair
📍 Tampa, Florida
📅 February 8-19, 2024
🔗 floridastatefair.com
Our Top 3 Foodie Picks:
1️⃣ Amish Doughnuts: Giant, fluffy, and perfectly sweet, these doughnuts are a simple yet unbeatable treat.
2️⃣ Gator Bites: When in Florida, it’s time to try these tender, spiced bites of alligator meat.
3️⃣ Crab Cake Grilled Cheese: A decadent fusion of comfort food and coastal cuisine.
Remember, wherever you travel for these delightful culinary adventures, StayFrontdesk.com has got you covered for your accommodation needs. Happy eating, fellow fair-foodies!
