New Fair Food from the Florida State Fair

Every year around mid-February for 11 days the Florida State Fair features indoor/outdoor exhibits, rides, shows and of course, food. The fairgrounds are located seven miles from downtown Tampa. This state fair has been around since 1904. There are some odd foods offered every year.

Of course there are the traditional foods such as cotton candy, candied apples and corn dogs to name a few. Every year they showcase the new foods. For 2011 a few were introduced that may or may not appeal to you. One thing is for certain, there's nothing quite like fair food. You can't get it anywhere else, except going to the fair. Learn a little bit more about the Florida State Fair and what kind of foods they are serving this year.

Florida State Fair's Beginnings

While the rest of the country is buried in snow for the winter, here in Tampa, Florida there is the Florida State Fair held in the month of February. Traditionally it opens right after the Mardi Gras-esque local parade called the "Gasparilla." Originally the state fair was located in and around downtown Tampa until 1976. It then moved to its permanent fairground location at Interstate 4 and Highway 301. If you love fair food this is the place to come for it. It's a place where prized livestock is showcased as part of Florida's agricultural industry. The Florida State Fair is a combination theme park, country fair, concert venue and typical state fair all rolled into one.

New Foods for the 2011 Florida State Fair

If you are on a diet or watching what you eat then do not come to the fair. You will be too tempted to eat the delicious foods at every corner of the fairgrounds, literally. For those who go to the fair to eat this will be nirvana. Each year the Florida State Fair introduces some new foods. Here are some of the delicious, mouth-watering items you should take advantage of:

Red Velvet Funnel Cake - Last year's chocolate funnel cake was a disaster, because it looked burnt. After some experimenting the red velvet cake batter was tried out, because the originator of this recipe's children loved red velvet cake. It is a very popular, especially when you can put as much cream cheese frosting on it yourself. This cake is priced at $7.

Meatloaf Sundae - This may sound absolutely awful, but it isn't what you think it is. It literally is meatloaf in a sundae bowl with mashed potatoes on top as the ice cream, carrots and peas as sprinkles and a cherry tomato as the cherry. Incidentally, the meatloaf acts as the brownie in this sundae-like concoction. Initially it was served at a RV show and was a huge hit. The price for one is $6.

French Toast Cheeseburger - Just like the name implies it is two pieces of French toast battered in cinnamon and Captain Crunch cereal acting as the bun with a bacon cheeseburger patty right in the middle. This sweet and salty cheeseburger costs $8. You'll have your breakfast and lunch all in one meal.

Maple Bacon Cupcake - For the price this is the cheapest new food item at $3. It is a cupcake with maple frosting, butter flavored cake and a piece of bacon to top off this delectable creation. Some may not think it is appetizing, but it's a huge hit at the fair.

Other Popular Foods

These are fair foods from years past that are still available at this year's Florida State Fair:

Apple Dumpling - This is a scoop of piping hot apple pie in a bowl shaped like ice cream. You can eat it plain or get ice cream on top. It costs $5 plain or for .50 cents more get ice cream as a topping.

Doughnut Burger - In 2010 the Florida State Fair introduced this unique way in serving a hamburger. It consists of two Krispy Kreme donuts as the hamburger bun and a hamburger patty with cheese. This costs the same as the French Toast Cheeseburger at $8.

Chicken on a Stick - For those who want something simply for their fair food you can get these grilled chicken pieces on a stick in either barbecue or teriyaki sauce. This reminds me so much of what you find at fairs and festivals in Japan. However, the price is steep at $7.

Kettlecorn Cupcake - If you love popcorn and cupcakes this is the one for you. It comes in either vanilla or chocolate with buttercream icing and of course, kettlecorn on top. One of the most reasonably priced foods at the fair for only $3.

These fair foods are not exclusive to the Florida State Fair. They will certainly make their rounds throughout the country in the spring, summer and fall. If you can't make it to the Florida State Fair it will certainly be coming this year to a fair near you.

SOURCES:

Florida State Fair, Wikipedia

Ernest Hooper,"Sampling Florida State Fair fare: Be careful", St. Petersburg Times

"Fair food: new this year", Metromix Tampa Bay

"Florida State Fair Food: Best values and strange cuisine", Fried Beer - Outdoor Amusement Business