Iowa State Fair Food

It's that time of the summer... I can almost smell it from Ames. It's time for the good 'ole Iowa State Fair.

Every year, without fail, the weather gets hot and humid just in time for the fair. It will probably rain a few days, making it even more sticky, because it always does.

Another thing that goes without question is the quality of people watching that can be done at the fair. After my final project in Leiden, I think it might be interesting to just take a day and document some of the characters that attend this annual event. I'll be sure to see several mullets, John Deere hats, kids on leashes, overalls, cowboy hats, obese people and (believe it or not) tourists.

But by far my favorite part of the fair is the food. I usually only make it down to the fairgrounds once or twice a year... but when I do the fair, I REALLY do the fair.

I know the food is gross and unhealthy, but that's why I fast for the 3 days leading up to and the the 3 days following my fair binge. I also plan on spending between $50-75 on food (and a few activities) during that one day.

When I'm at the fair, there is no remorse for eating too much and no hesitation to get "one more" greasy, fried substance on a stick... No matter how full I am. Some foods are traditional, some are unique, a lot are on sticks... but for most, this is the only chance I'll have to eat them all year!

Here is my list of the foods I'm most excited for at this year's Iowa State Fair:

1. Corn dog
2. Corn on the cob (dipped in a vat of butter, literally)
3. Bucket of chocolate chip cookies
4. Pork chop on a stick
5. Funnel cake
6. Cheese curds
7. Cotton candy
8. Ribbon fries (aka "Greater Tater")
   
9. Carmel apple
10. Fresh squeezed lemonade
11. Dippin' Dots
12. Kettle Korn
13. Strawberry Smoothie
14. Sweet Potato Fries
15. Beer

Mmm... I can almost taste it!