National State Fair Food Day Date in the current year: July 11, 2024

State fairs are a summer staple in the United States. They began in the 19th century as agricultural shows promoting state agriculture through displays of farm products and competitive livestock exhibitions. As the United States transitioned to an industrial and then a primarily service sector economy, state fairs started to focus on entertainment such as carnival amusement rides and games, musical concerts, car racing, and more.

Food stalls are an important part of any state fair; according to statistics, food is the number one reason people go to state fairs, followed by spending quality time with family and friends, music and entertainment, amusement rides, and animals. Each state fair has its iconic foods, which can range from relatively common and tame (corn on the cob, anyone?) to highly bizarre like deep-fried butter.

Of course, a lot of state fair staples are available all the year round and can even be made at home, but it is something special about attending a state fair and trying as many delicious foods as you can in a day. Some state fair attendees stick to popular and “safe” foods such as French fries, corn dogs, roast corn, tacos, cheese curds, chicken wings, funnel cake, cotton candy, snow cones, kettle corn, and churros, while others make it their mission to try as many crazy foods as possible, starting with chocolate-covered bacon and ending with deep-fried… well, anything. Some of the strangest deep-fried products found at state fairs include pickles, deviled eggs, Oreo cookies, candy bars, Jell-O, watermelon, and cheesecake.

National State Fair Food Day was launched in 2022 by Food Service Direct, a food-focused online marketplace for chefs and food service operators. This amazing holiday celebrates the delicious foods that people enjoy at state fairs every summer. You can observed it by attending your local state fair (if it coincides with National State Fair Food Day), taking or planning a trip to a state fair in another state, recreating your favorite state fair staples at home, or throwing a backyard state fair-themed party for your friends and family. And don’t forget to spread the word about the holiday on social media with the hashtag #NationalStateFairFoodDay.

If you’ve decided to celebrate the holiday by making some of the most beloved state fair staples, here is a list of state fair foods that you can easily recreate in your kitchen to help you narrow down the choice: deep-fried pickle chips, corn dogs, fried green tomatoes, French fries, frozen cherry cola slushie, tacos, banana fritters, strawberry shortcake, grilled corn on the cob, barbecued pork ribs, homemade lemonade or iced tea, chocolate chip cookies, boiled peanuts, blooming onion, funnel cake, spicy chicken wings or drumsticks, caramel apple, and cream puffs.