Hello, TBAY. City Editor Bailey here to bring you an inside look at a piping hot story.
The Florida State Fair kicked off its 120th season yesterday. This year’s party runs through Monday, Feb. 19, and features everything from live music performances, pony rides, a Ferris wheel, a sea lion show, dozens of games, and what we’re here to talk about today... so many inventive foodie dishes.
Here’s the tale of how I entered a sugar-induced coma before 12 p.m. on a Thursday:
Pop Rocks Pickle
It’s exactly what it sounds like: A massive kosher pickle dipped in milk chocolate and coated in your favorite explode-in-your-mouth candy. I’ll be honest — I was extremely hesitant to try this one. But I was cheered on by the booth’s staff, who assured me that the creation is pretty good.
I will say, once you get over biting into a pickle dipped in chocolate and coated with candy, the saltiness of the vinegar does compliment the sweetness quite well. And if you still are up for a bigger challenge, the booth also serves a Fruity Pebbles Pickle and a Flamin’ Hot Pickle.
You’ll want to share the “Barbie” funnel cake with a friend or two.
Photo by @TBAYtoday
“Barbie” Funnel Cake
We love a theme around here — and a funnel cake. So of course I had to give the “Barbie” Funnel Cake a whirl. Your favorite fair classic is drenched in a rainbow of sprinkles, also making it quite Instagrammable (follow us @thetbaytoday). The sprinkle infusion gave the cake a funfetti-like taste and was wholly delicious.
But if you’re up for a more savory funnel cake bite, there’s also a Temperamental Hog Funnel Cake this year — stuffed with cornmeal + barbecue seasoning and topped with pulled pork.
The chocolate-covered strawberry lemonade was quite decadent.
Photo by TBAYtoday
Chocolate-dipped Strawberry Lemonade
One of the best parts of any state fair is grabbing a lemonade to sip on while walking around. And for us Floridians, it’s necessary for cooling off on a steamy February day. This year, you can sip on an indulgent chocolate-strawberry topped lemonade.
The dessert... I mean drink also earns points for mobility. The reusable plastic cup boasts a screw-on lid, so you can cruise throughout the rest of the fair without losing a drop + purchase refills at reduced cost.
I’ll leave you with one more piece of advice: Make sure to pick up a map at one of the information stands, so you can plan you way around all of the new foodie items.
What other new fair food should we try? Let us know.