by Anne Taylor

Created on: April 10, 2009   Last Updated: May 05, 2009

The State Fair of Texas started in 1886 as the Dallas State Fair & Exposition; it is the largest state fair in the United States by annual attendance. It is also the best place to find my favorite festival foods.

Every year I have my list of daily requirements on my State Fair day:

#1 Cotton Candy

This melt-in-your-mouth confection is perhaps the most beloved item on my list. The sheer convenience of just letting this lie on your tongue and bestow sweetness is perhaps the reason this was one of my earliest ventures into festival foods. Toddlers do not need to chew cotton candy to get the bang from this wonderful pink fluff. As we age, the memories of past visits cascade with each mouthful.

#2 Roasted Corn-on-the-cob

In Texas, if you can throw it on a fire, and brown it well, it is Good Eats. And a fresh roasted ear of corn is just that! Lather it with your choice of condiments, mayonnaise, chili powder, or just plain butter. Food cooked outdoors just tastes better, and roasted corn just proves that point.

#3 Funnel cakes / Elephant Ears

If you can't grill it, fry it! A well made funnel cake will make you turn around and look for your grandmother. She is the only one that could make this piping hot crispy cousin of a doughnut, sprinkled with just the right amount of cinnamon sugar. Did someone steal her recipe?

#4 Spiral Fries aka: tornado potato aka: Chipstix

I admit it, I have one of those little cutting utensils that is suppose to help the home cook produce wafer thin sections of potatoes to fry golden. But why bother, when you can watch a professional skillfully with the aid of a motorized unit produce delicate sections of golden brown potatoes that beg for catsup. I wait every year just for this one.

#5 Candied / Caramel Apples

Who was the first person to think that apples needed caramel? Genius! The soft caramel against a crisp tangy apple is one of life's greatest pleasures. And I do appreciate a good candied apple; the crunch you get is an added bonus for a beautiful snack.

Website that show you the ratings of carnival foods from cyberspace:

http://www.rateitall.com/t-3186-common-ca rnival-food.aspx

Website for products:

http://www.funcarnivalfoods.com/carnivalfoo dsmarybeths.html

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