Posted by Bruce Bilmes and Sue Boyle
, August 04, 2008 16:06
Photo by Indiana State Fair
The first Indiana State Fair took place in Indianapolis in 1852. Early fairs had competitions for the best false teeth, best underwear, and best coffin. Cassius Clay boxed here in 1957. The Beatles performed in 1964.
This year’s state fair will feature the performers Carrie Underwood, Daughtry, Sugarland, Suzy Boggus, and Garrison Keillor, along with countless livestock, agriculture, and 4-H exhibits, and special events such as the Giant Pumpkin Contest, the Indiana State Fair Fiddle Contest, and the Blue Ribbon Horse Pull. There will also be a brand-new permanent covered bridge on the fairgrounds.
Food plays a big part at the Indiana fair. Pictured above is the Indiana Farm Bureau’s Old-Fashioned Pancake Breakfast where, for $3, you can get pancakes, sausage, and veal bacon. August 8th will see the World’s Largest Drive-Thru Breakfast: $3 gets you a beef and egg burrito and beverage, and a gallon of gas for your car’s breakfast! Each year, there is a signature fair food contest held among prospective vendors before the fair begins. This year’s winner? Deep-Fried Bananas Foster Cheesecake on a Stick: cheesecake and bananas Foster wrapped in cookie crumbs, deep-fried, sided with vanilla ice cream, and drizzled with caramel sauce. Subtle and understated. Other fair favorites include the extremely popular Indiana Beef Cattle Association rib-eye sandwich, buttered corn-on-the-cob, pork chop sandwiches, and grilled cheese sandwiches and milkshakes from the Dairy Bar. All trans-fat-free, by the way; the Indiana State Fair was the first to ban trans fats.
See the fair website for more info.
