By MARY ANN LEINHART CROSS
Elkhart County Extension Director, Extension Educator, Health & Human Sciences, Purdue Extension

Being a passionate person about attending and making the most of county fair season I think it is only right that I write my column on fair foods. Let me be the first to write that it is a known fact that many of you attend fairs just to eat the food and I totally agree and understand. I know for a fact that you don’t come to a fair to eat healthy. If you want to do this you can, healthy eating has to go with portion control, which is why I highly recommend sharing so you can do lots of tasting.

As you know the weather is always an issue when it comes to fair time; too hot is not good, and chilly weather is not good either except for the livestock. Now when it comes to gardens and farm crops we need Mother Nature to stop the rain and let the sun shine.

Our office is already extra busy as many pre-fair activities have begun. For many of us it is county 4-H fair time and this is a special time of the year. I know several of you have fair food plans, meaning what local food you are going to enjoy on certain days. I personally have gone back to fairs just for certain foods that they have.

The last two years I started my 4-H Fair food experiences with a pork burger and I have no idea how many of them I enjoyed but they were all excellent. You know you have eaten or purchased too many when the people working make comments about me being there again or the number I was buying.

I continue my personal fair food plan which is to share food as sharing means you get to taste more foods. An added bonus is when you eat at the 4-H and service club venues you are helping to invest back into our community.

I am going to try to write about most of the foods offered by the 4-H and service clubs; this isn’t easy but I am going to give it a good lick-of-the-fingers try.

I am starting at the front of our food row on Locust Street which has a new welcoming sign for all of you. The rabbit club has some of the greenest and healthiest food that you will find. They offer rabbit/bunny barbecue, rabbit sausage gravy on biscuits, green salads, and more.

Across the way is one of mine and many fair-goers favorites the “Pork Producers.” Many of you chose a pork chop with bone or butterfly cut or a ham sandwich, but my choice is a pork burger. Now for your first sweet treat you can walk across the street to the “Dairy Bar” and have some dessert. This dairy barn also has grilled cheese sandwiches.

If you like to have breakfast there are several choices. The only air-conditioned food choice is at the Eastern Star, they have biscuits and gravy and egg options. After breakfast they offer home cooked meals and sandwiches. Next is the Cattlemen Association for a ribeye steak sandwich.

Next is the 4-H Lamb Club and they are known for their “Lemon Shake Up” which they have exclusives on, and for lamb burgers and chops. Now we are at the Crystal Valley Exchange Club, which is a favorite of many of you as they offer the popular taco and their famous “Walking Taco.”

Next we cross the street to a shared building of the 4-H Goat Club, Goshen Noon Kiwanis, and PSI Iota XI Sorority. The main draw is the grilled 1-pound burger and the sweet corn. The 4-H Goat Club features Mexican food, and frozen beverages and yogurt. The sorority has fresh locally made pizza.

Now we can walk to the other side of the street and experience one of the oldest traditions at the fair: hot-from-the-grill pancakes from Elkhart County Exchange Club. Staying on that side we have a new operator on food row and that is the 4-H Saddle Club with the same menu they had at their original location; they will also have Buffalo Burgers.

Next is the service club food of the Elkhart Noon Optimist where they prepare fish and tenderloins. Along the way is the Star Light Chapter 181 known for their sloppy joes, and on the corner is Tri Kappa with fresh pie and hard-dip ice cream.

When you round the corner onto Rotary Boulevard and walk a little toward the grandstand you will come to the 4-H Dairy Feeder Club. They’re serving Amish Haystacks and on Tractor Pull Thursday, they’ll serve a breakfast haystack. Next is Dairy Bar with ice cream treats and the most economical food on the fairgrounds: their grilled cheese sandwich.

The 4-H Junior Leaders have the best popcorn at the fair and also offer hot dogs and beverages. As you cross the road on the opposite side is the 4-H Saddle club’s original stand offering a breakfast oatmeal, sandwiches and a variety of fried foods.

I am not sure about you but I am ready for some fair food. I hope I have made you hungry so you come to one of the best 4-H fairs in the country. While you’re here be sure to see the 4-H exhibits, open class exhibits and visit with commercial exhibitors. There are also commercial food vendors too numerous to name. I do hope to see you at the fair and I know you will enjoy the food and make some great fair memories!