Fair time for foodies

The weather was perfect—around 80, a little humid from Thursday night’s storms, but with a nice cool breeze.

I attended an opening day at the Kansas State Fair for the first time.

The first Friday is generally not busy during the day except those who want to get their visits in before the crowds descend.

Present were the familiar rhythm of shuttles, golf carts and the state fair train while the sky tram glided overhead and the parking lot shuttles rumbled through.

I’m a fair foodie. I like the old, new, familiar, and bizarre. Pronto Pups are always my first stop. I then purchase my refillable cup for the week, wander down to the root beer stand, and if my head isn’t swimming with carbohydrate overload, I may stop in the Cottonwood Court for some Bernard’s Pit Stop BBQ.

Later in the week, I’m munching on Our Lady of Guadalupe tacos, Chicken on a Stick and those delicious Cottonwood Court chicken and noodles, which changed hands this year after approximately 50 years under the sponsorship of the South Hutchinson United Methodist Church.

Funnel cakes and cheese curds aren’t just for breakfast anymore.

I live a few blocks from the fair’s main gate, and an average 6-hour fair visit involves walking 7-12 miles, depending on how much time I spend outdoors. This helps me justify my decisively unhealthy fair food habit.

The 1861 Club’s new building is gorgeous. And its most notable feature is that it offers affordable healthy food options. I plan to try it this week.

This year’s opening day was also special because Larry Hatteberg, a Hutchinson and Wichita media fixture for 50+ years, has been interviewing Michael and me for a segment on Hatteberg’s People. He has already interviewed both of us. Friday, we met at one of the east gates, and he wired me with a portable microphone, followed me around, took video, and wired a microphone on someone I interviewed. As we wandered through buildings and stopped to chat with people, we reminisced about our favorite places and events on the fairgrounds.

This year, we are fortunate to have a break in what felt like the neverending hellscape of a hot summer. Temperatures are forecast to stay in the mid to upper 80s through the week, then barely top 90 during the fair’s last week. No rain is forecast, but as we’ve seen, popcorn thunderstorms and showers are always at threat at any time of the day.

I attended the Goo Goo Dolls concert Saturday evening and enjoyed good music and a joyful crowd. The temperatures began in the mid-70s and dropped into the 60s by the end. The fairgrounds were as crowded as I have seen them, undoubtedly helped by clear skies and pleasant weather.

The sights, sounds, and smell of Pronto Pups, funnel cakes and brisket sandwiches mingled with the tinny midway music and popular and country tunes from various booths.

I will visit again, taking time to admire the art, the quilts, the Gottschalk Park acts (there are two this year), and to chat with random strangers. I will pet some pygmy baby goats, chat with a 4-H participant about their show animals, and learn some important and exciting things from the Kansas State veterinary students who staff the Livestock Birthing Center.

No matter who you are or what interests you, there is always something to experience, see, eat and admire at the Kansas State Fair.

Gina Long is a co-founder and editor of The Hutchinson Tribune. She can be contacted at glong@hutchtribune.com,

The weather was perfect—around 80, a little humid from Thursday night's storms, but with a nice cool breeze. I attended an opening day at the Kansas State Fair for the first time. The first Friday is generally not busy during the day except those who want to