Oklahoma State Fair opens with an eye toward flavor
The Oklahoma State Fair begins its 11-day run Thursday under sunny skies while warm breezes greet visitors with the wood-fired, deep-fried aromas they crave.
The Oklahoma State Fair was established in 1907, and to this day, one question has remained the same: What's good to eat?
To help answer that question, the fair established the Great Taste of a Fair, which invites vendors to compete in three categories. This year, the 11th iteration, saw 13 vendors compete in three categories and a "FAIRest of Them All" champion crowned.
The Bacon Habit took the Slice of Savory category with its Mango Coconut Shrimp served with white rice, dethroning Honey Pepper Bacon Dog, which finished second, from perennial favorite Urb Express.
The Sweetest of the Sweet competition was much more fierce, coming down to three worthy entrants. In the end, Project Krave's Apple Pie Churro Bites edged out the fried blueberry pie from Original Minneapolis Pie. The unique Freeze-Dried Milk Dud finished third. (Pro tip: Try all three)
The most exotic entry judges tried Wednesday came from The Pioneer Wagon, which came packing Alligator Corn Dogs. They were good enough to win the New to the Scene category thanks to a high quality cornmeal batter and a frank that was, like so many frightening sounding proteins, reminiscent of chicken.
Once Coconut Shrimp, Apple Pie Churro Bites and Alligator Corn Dog faced off, guest judge Phi Ngyen chose the churros as FAIRest of Them All.
All the winners will sport trophies at their booths and receive $300. Second and third place got slightly smaller trophies plus $150 and $50, respectively.
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Not every food vendor at the fair competes in the Great Taste of a Fair contest, or else the group of judges made up of local media would all be infirmed. The fair will have its usual array of kebabs, funnel cakes, and fried foods, which include the usual litany of items fried that shouldn't necessarily be. And at Oklahoma's state fair, folks expect hot cinnamon rolls, roasted corn and Indian tacos — and they are back in full effect.
Of course, the Creative Arts Building is home to numerous competitions, including culinary contests like the Chocolate Extravaganza today, the Crock-Pot Cookoff on Friday, and Some Like it Hot fresh salsa contest on Saturday. The Creative Arts Building will host a cake-decorating demonstration with Mary Dunn on Sunday.
Opening day is Thrifty Thursday, which means $5 outside gate admission for everyone. Those tickets will cost $15 for adults and $8 for kids afterward at the gate. Children 5 and younger are free. Tickets can be purchased in advance online, $8 for adults, and $4 for children ages 6 to 11.
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Tickets are still available for Disney on Ice and PRCA Xtreme Bulls & Broncs shows. Advance purchases of carnival armbands, preferred parking vouchers and Sky Eye Wheel admission are also available online.
Plenty of parking options are available, including a shuttle from downtown. Free parking is located along the north and northeast side of the fairgrounds and in the southwest corner. Paid, permit and RV parking also is available and can be accessed from NW 10 Street, May Avenue and Reno Avenue. Free trams are available from parking lots into the fair and inside the fairgrounds.
EMBARK is offering special weekend service to the fairgrounds for $4 round-trip both Fridays and Saturdays during the run.
The fair continues through Sept. 25. Public activities open at 10 a.m. daily. Buildings close at 9 p.m. during the week and 10 p.m. on weekends.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State Fair starts its 11-day run Thursday with tasty treats
