After the last carburetor’s been dragged from the demolition derby track and the final country singer has warbled his last note, the Delaware State Fair truly is all about the food.
Where else can a First State glutton partake of deep-fried Oreos, funnel cake, pizza, and burgers, then swing by the peach dessert competition? And that’s just in the morning.
“Each year our concessionaires try to create more unique food choices,” says Hallie Moor, a fair marketing coordinator. “Last year Little Richard served his cheeseburger on a doughnut. Then there are local concessionaires that fair-goers seek out every year such as Tressler’s barbecued chicken and crab cakes.”
In 2010 longtime vendor Richard Thomas unveiled his Doughnut Burger—a half-pound patty with bacon and cheese between glazed Krispy Kreme doughnuts (aka the legendary Luther Vandross Burger).
This year’s excessively eye-popping treat might be the Fudge Puppie, a Belgian waffle on a stick coated with chocolate fudge, says concessions director Rick Nietubicz. Another new addition is First State Super Spuds, otherwise known as ultra-loaded baked potatoes.
There are also plenty of fair favorites like funnel cakes, popcorn, ice cream, and anything imaginable fried. Big Al’s Roast Beef and Harrington’s own Charlie Jones has been a fair staple since 1988. “That’s one you can only get at the fair,” Nietubicz says.
David Naeyaert and his traveling Cinn-sational Cinnamon Rolls have built a cult-like following over the years, particularly among livestock exhibitors who form a line first thing in the morning. “He has a line at 7:30 a.m., and that line does not go away until everyone gets their cinnamon roll,” Nietubicz says.
Better get in line now. —Matt Amis