by Barbara Mitchell

Created on: April 12, 2009   Last Updated: May 05, 2009

For those of us who were raised on country sunshine, fair-going is something we look forward to each year. Even city folks get into the act with a yearly visit to their state fair.

We go to see the exhibits, ride the rides, play the games, and for a chance to savor the food. Certain fair foods have become part of a family's tradition and are carried on. From time to time, a new food is served up that will develop into a new tradition.

Fair week may be the only time our nation as a whole indulges in a guilty pleasure without feeling the need to feel guilty.

Here are my picks for the top must-have fair food fare:

Corn Dogs

I have no idea why a fair corn dog tastes so much better than any other kind of corn dog, but it does. It has to be drenched in mustard for me. Ketchup is okay if you insist. Never had a fair corn dog? You haven't lived!

Cotton Candy

Whether blue, pink or any other color of the rainbow, this food is another must-have tradition for most fairgoers. Something so light and fluffy that melts in your mouth just can't be bad for you.

Corn-on-the-Cob

Freshly cooked corn-on-the-cob dripping with butter is synonymous with summer in America. What better way to get your dose of veggies?

Grilled Polish Sausage

The best polish sausage has to be served on a bun along with grilled onions, green peppers, and lots of mustard. Am I being too picky?

Anything BBQ

Any kind of BBQ meat served at the fair is an automatic hit. Probably because you can smell the enticing aroma even before you see the vendor's stand. BBQ beef, BBQ pork, BBQ whatever, it really doesn't matter. We'll still stand in line for it.

I left out mouth-watering pizza, savory hot dogs, frozen chocolate bananas, scrumptious fried pickles (okay, maybe they're an acquired taste), and a multitude of other delectable choices. We'll save those for another time. Oh, did I mention? Fair week is definitely not the time to start a new diet.

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