Food-o-meter lights up the summer

We saved up our appetites all year long for the phenomenon which is known as “food from a truck.” With fair vendors traveling from venue to venue, let the snacking party begin, and as my mom always says, “If you go away hungry, it’s your own fault.”
Most of you are probably well aware of what I’m referring to as you had your fill of the exotic menus at the Dodge County Fair and perhaps you don’t know, but many of those same vendors will be at both the Steele County Free Fair and the State Fair. 
The exhaust fans will be spewing into the atmosphere those rich epicurean  scents that detour you from the exhibits and games and rides. They seduce you to stand in their lines, wiping the drool from your mouth and being generally agitated because the people in line ahead of you are just too slow in their decision making process.  
Thus delaying your delightful date with your destiny to dine on these summer delicacies. Fried foods, this and that on a stick, greasy items, candy, doughnuts and so much more. 
For those who want to be a little adventurous with what they eat, there are some new foods this year. They include cream puffs, schnitzel on pretzel buns, dynamite dogs. The list of what you can introduce your stomach to can be both local and international in scope.  I find that local Pepto after a long day at the fair does the trick, even for those dishes from far away places prepared right here in our Minnesota back yards.
Fair officials always pride themselves on trying new things, and by the looks of it, this year will be no different.   Remember to pack your Pepto!
As I reviewed the food vendor list for this week’s venue, there are some other items that caught my attention and may require a closer look at during the fair. Bacon cheddar corn dogs, deep fried alligator, Chinese pancakes, cookie dough fondue, jalapeno poppers and piggy nachos are just a few that are making my food-o-meter go bananas. 
In addition, Bussler Publications has come up with a little something that will lighten the load on the pocketbook when it comes to gobbling up all the great fair foods.  In this week’s copy of the Steele County Times newspaper, most readers will receive a coupon directory filled with special coupons to use at some of the fair vendors. The supplement contains roughly $50 in savings.  Well worth crossing county lines to purchase our sister paper from Steele County.
If you’re like me, you’re always looking for a great bargain. Coupons are my friend. This is actually the sixth year already that we have published the food coupons. It must be such a great idea because another area daily newspaper decided to copy us with the project a few years ago. They always say imitation is the best form of flattery. 
The fair means many different things to people. But one constant that seems to come up over and over again is the food. 
What’s my favorite? That’s a hard one, but I’d have to say it’s the dairy association’s malts. 
Just a word to the wise. If you’re going to go in hot pursuit of new foods, and even the old favorites it may not be a bad idea to bulk up on your “stomach saint” of choice for the action that you will most assuredly endure. Thankfully, these summer adventures only comes around once a season.