Of course, you know it is time for the State Fair when the local news stations report the latest craze in deep fried foods. There are so many to choose from. A day at the Fair isn’t complete unless someone tells you how good their particular deep fried item tasted.
While walking the main drag of booths and vendors, we saw deep fried everything: Elephant Ears, Snickers, Brownies, Twinkies, Avocado, Pizza, Chicken, Pepsi and Butter.
But it isn’t just the food that makes the fair unique.
During the night program for the marching band competition, I sat next to a young man who was a little too enthusiastic about the Winchester program. My right ear is still ringing from the screaming during their performance. The young man had the smell of someone who spent the day in the sun. Actually, he smelled like he’s spent several days in the sun. His tank top allowed more skin to show than I appreciated. Especially since we shared two seats that were made for the butts of people in the 1950’s, long before the invention of the Doughnut Burger.
During a break in the night program, he returned to the 12-inch seat with a mini-drum set in a box. It was a three-inch, metal and plastic set of drums that fit into a small box with a glass front. As he loaded the item into its display case, he continued to tap the symbol with his finger. I think he believed it was real. I wasn’t as impressed. It was obvious to me that this item would show up in a yard sale next to a painting of Elvis on black velvet and a lava lamp.
During another short break, the odoriferous young man disappeared again. This time when he returned, he reported that $50 had just been invested in a high quality, digital DVD of the night’s performances. I know that the disk cost $50 because he told me it cost $50 about 50 times. Then he pulled out his baby drum set to admire it again.
I noticed the young man disappeared again when the air freshened. He returned with something deep fried on a stick. It was covered in strawberry glaze. His eyes sparkled and a huge smile spread across his face as he admired it. He looked like someone who was about to get their fix. My wife, ever curious and willing to talk to strangers, leaned across me and asked, “How much was that DVD again? And what IS that?”
He quickly reached into a bag with his free hand and pulled out a receipt. He held it up for all to see and proudly announced that the DVD was $50. Actually, his words were, “Oh, Man! I spent $50 on that DVD. Can you believe that? What a great deal! It has every performance on it. It was $50 but it was worth it!” Then he finished his response by taking a huge bite from the golden brown item on the paper doily (as if this classes up the food). As his lips smacked together and the batter and cream filling sloshed around in his open mouth, he reported that this was a deep fried Twinkie. “It is my third one today.” He laughed and took another bite, held up what was left on the stick and offered a taste. I politely declined and moved to an empty seat on the other side of my wife.
Nothing is better than a day at the fair. It is truly an Indiana experience. Pass the deep fried butter, please?
