These Are the Best Fair Foods in North and South Carolina
Summertime is always fun to visit a fair or amusement park. Although they are known for having great rides and cool prizes, sometimes it’s all about the food too! Whenever…
Colorful photo of different food vendors at a carnival or fair.
Getty ImagesSummertime is always fun to visit a fair or amusement park. Although they are known for having great rides and cool prizes, sometimes it's all about the food too! Whenever I plan a trip to any fair, carnival, amusement park, etc. I am contemplating the food more than anything. It's all about the sweets and the fried food that can make any day completely better. But, as I got older, I realized that some states have specific fair foods that they're known for. Took me some time to learn that people outside of Charleston don't do fried kool-aid at their fairs as we do. Crazy, I know!
Delish is giving us the best state fair food in every state. The list was kind of cool to see what other states rave about when it comes to fair food. But, we're here to talk about the Carolinas. What fair foods came in as the best for North and South Carolina? Starting with North Carolina, their best fair food is Korean hot dogs. Unfortunately, I have never been to a state fair in North Carolina so I have never heard of this. But, the fried food gem looks pretty good. Now, off to South Carolina! Their best state food is a turkey leg. As a South Carolina girl, it's pretty much a MUST that someone in your group gets a turkey leg at the fair.
Some other cool fair foods that made the list for other states include green chile cheese curds, fried dough, chicken on a stick, pickle pizza, and more! If you're wondering what state's claim these items, check out the full list here.
North Carolina State Fair One Of The Top 10 In The Country
Fall means fair season, especially in the south. And with the NC State Fair just wrapping up I thought it was interesting that it was named one of the Top 10 fairs in the country. This is according to a list by Vacations Made Easy. There are several staples you know you're going to get at any and every fair. Free live music, some form of competitions, carnival rides, and deep-fried and other crazy food concoctions. The one food item that always stands out in my memory is the Krispy Kreme Burger.
I've been to the NC State Fair many times thanks to living in Raleigh for several years. And while I didn't make it there this time I did see the lights and rides from the air as a flight I was on landed at RDU. That was an awesome sight to see! I also have memories of every year during the fair hearing the fireworks show go off right at 1opm each night. All to say, we do have a good one on our hands in Raleigh! But when there are contenders on the stage such as Texas and NY it's even more impressive that we ranked so high!
Below you'll find Vacations Made Easy's rankings of the Top Fairs and learn a little about what makes them unique. Some highlights include a butter cow, football game, and celebrity milking competition!
1. Kentucky State Fair
Where: Lexington
When: The fair runs for 11 days in August yearly
What: Horses (of course!), A list musical acts, Parade of Champions, gourmet chef demonstrations.
2. The Great New York State Fair
Where: Syracuse
When: Late August/Early September
What: The oldest state fair averages over 1 million visitors yearly, a NY wine and cheese seminar, rides, music, and celebrity milking competition.
3. State Fair of Texas
Where: Dallas
When: October
What: Texas/Oklahoma football game, crazy foods, rides, music, livestock competitions
4. Iowa State Fair
Where: Des Moines
When: August
What: Life-sized butter cow, agricultural and industrial expositions, "Food on a stick", talent search
5. Minnesota State Fair
Where: St. Paul
When: Late August through Labor Day
What: Live theater arts, River Raft Ride, Butterfly House, laser lights shows, shopping
6. Alaska State Fair
Where: Palmer
When: Mid-August through Labor Day
What: record-setting giant vegetables, flower gardens, concerts, and Alaskan & Alaska Native culture
7. Washington State Fair
Where: Puyallup
When: September, Spring Fair in April
What: Dinosaur Expedition, hobby hall, photo competitions, floral exhibits
8. Ohio State Fair
Where: Columbus
When: July/August
What: More than 50 rides, hypnotists, magicians, educational displays, sporting competitions, fine arts show, exotic animals petting zoo, a farm animal delivery room, helicopter rides.
9. Oregon State Fair
Where: Salem
When: August through Labor Day
What: Garden and floral exhibits, farmers’ market, monster trucks, rides, games, music
10. North Carolina State Fair
Where: Raleigh
When: October
What: Nightly fireworks, Folk Festival, livestock, agriculture, homegrown music, field of dreams
11-20
11. The Big E (West Springfield, MA)
12. Indiana State Fair (Indianapolis, IN)
13. Missouri State Fair (Sedalia, MO)
14. California State Fair (Sacramento, CA)
15. Illinois State Fair (Springfield, IL)
16. Wisconsin State Fair (West Allis, WI)
17. Colorado State Fair (Pueblo, CO)
18. Georgia State Fair (Hampton, GA)
19. Arizona State Fair (Phoenix, AZ)
20. Oklahoma State Fair (Oklahoma City, OK)
