By Emily Schilling

For me, it’s all about the deep fried (of course!) spiral potato chips. I’m embarrassed to say it’s one of main reasons I look forward to the State Fair each year. The chip vendor booth is the first stop I make after parking the car! If I had my druthers, I’d declare freshly fried spiral potato chips the official State Fair food. 

This year, the Indiana State Fair is showcasing 17 different foods — from apples to mint to traditional fair favorites like food on a stick, pork burgers and funnel cakes. (See pages 24 and 25 for a fair schedule and breakdown of the foods that will be highlighted.) Day one of the fair — Aug. 4 — is dedicated to deep-fried food. If junk food had its own food pyramid, my beloved potato chips would proudly reside in the deep-fried food group. So, I’m glad I can pay tribute to them on fair kick-off day!

Deep-fried foods are staples of state fairs throughout the land. Twinkies and Oreos are two fan favorites that emerge from a sizzling dunk tank of oil even better than when they were plopped in.

I’m a pretty adventurous eater — but as far as I’m concerned, there’s a limit to what should go into the fryer. For instance, I’d nix the deep-fried scorpions (which are inexplicably dipped in chocolate), crickets, grasshoppers and lizards that are served at the Arizona State Fair. Or a Florida specialty: fried ice cream served between two hamburger buns on top of a hamburger. After a few minutes in the August sun, that burger will be dripping with dessert! 

Luckily, at our State Fair tried, true and tasty treats are served up — not food oddities that I’d only eat on a dare.

Bring on the fried cookie dough and fried cheese. Bring on the fried M&Ms and fried Kool-Aid. And, don’t forget those potato chips. My diet starts on Aug. 21.

EMILY SCHILLING is editor of Electric Consumer