The Iowa State Fair new foods, drinks and more

         I’ve never been a fan of trying new foods at the Iowa State Fair.
         Some folks love trying anything new at the state fair, but I’m not one of them.
         And there is a load of new food for the 2024 Iowa State Fair.
       Some of the tasty delights include: Lobster Corn Dog, Pork Belly Corn Dog, Puppy Chow Waffle, Bacon Cheeseburger Eggroll, Deep Fried Uncrustable PB & J, Piggy in a Donut, Beer Belly Fries, Funnel Cake Burger, Candied Bacon Gnocchi: gluten-free, Chicken Mac Attack Bowl, Deep Fried Hot Cheetos, Deep Fried Pepperoni Chips, Golden Fried Veggie Samosas, Salted Beef Bagel, What’s Your Wonton, Pink Lemonade Whoopie Pies, Not Your Daddy’s Burger, Walking Frito Pie, Walleye Fish Tacos and the Loose L’roy Sandwich.
         And if you are looking for something to wash down one of the state fair’s tasty new foods, there’s plenty of non-alcoholic and alcohol-laced drinks available. 
       For my drinking friends, you might consider a Pig Lebowski Beer, Paradise N’ Chill Chill, Spiked Lemonade, Hive2o PB&J Hard, Rainbow Sherbet Sour Beer or Grumpy Old Manhattan Hard Seltzer Cocktail, to name a few.
         And for those of us who don’t partake in drinking alcohol, there are plenty of new drinks available. They include: Berry Dirty Slush, Mango Bliss, Life’s A Peach Dirty Soda, Island Cherry Bomb Lemonade, Cherry Italian Soda, Dr. Pickle, Bubble Gum Soda, Green Monster and the Tilt Nitro Energy Berry.
          I won’t be trying any of these foods or drinks this year or ever.
         Actually, I would rather grill on my Blackstone at the camper and spend time with family and neighbors. It’s hard to beat a tasty cheeseburger or some brats and good conversation. And I’m hearing the weather is going to be great for this year’s fair.
          One of our favorite eateries at the state fair is Beatie’s Watermelon Stand. It’s just west of JR’s Southpork Ranch and the old giant slide.
        They have giant tenderloins and awesome tasting ham and roast beef sandwiches. Top it off with an order of fries and a cold iced tea, and all is good in the world.
          We love stopping there a few times during the fair. The owners are good people and friends of ours. They buy our books and always want to know when Debbie’s next book is coming out.
           Debbie also enjoys a corn dog and some cheese curds. And I’m glad to let her find a bench as I search for her favorites and return to eat together.
           Outside of eating at the state fair, we are, as in past years, sponsoring two food contests this year in the food building.
           We started sponsoring food contests in 2007 and have held them every year since. 
         We sponsor “Our Front Porch Books Favorite Iowa Foods,” which will be judged at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 11 in Judging Room 1, and “Our Front Porch Books Favorite Book Desserts,” a contest geared toward children, which is slated for 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 14 in Judging Room 2.
           And as in the past, I entered antiques again this year. I’ve entered antiques in the heritage division for a number of years. 
         I’m hoping to pick up a few ribbons this year. My entries include Montezuma, Iowa postcards in the Iowa division, Santa and Christmas postcards, an old metal postal scale, a quilt, a doggy creamer, salt and pepper shakers, a Wizard Of Oz children’s book with 45 record, a small clover dish, a Casper doll and an antique child’s bowling game.
           I enjoy looking at the antiques in Pioneer Hall, watching the chainsaw artist at work, finding benches to take naps, visiting with total strangers, attending the cowboy action shooting, listening to the old-time hymn sings at the log church, going through the 4-H Building, checking out the vendors under the grandstand and watching the miniature horse shows.
          It was 21-years ago that I first met Debbie while doing a story on Montezuma campers at the Iowa State Fair. Last year, we were featured in the old museum on the fairgrounds as one of the couples who found love at the state fair. We will celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary on Sept. 25 this year. How time flies.
      And a new found interest is walking around the campground taking photos of the various camper decorations. There’s everything from flowers to signs and even political thoughts. And it’s a great way to meet new folks from all across this fine state.
          The campground is like a small city with small town charm.
       I hope you can make it out to the Iowa State Fair this year and enjoy a new food or just spend time meeting new people.
          Have a great week and always remember that “Good Things are Happening,” every day