By 1808Delaware and Special to 1808Delaware
In a few days, many Delaware Countians will be heading down to Columbus for the annual extravaganza known as the Ohio State Fair.
There, food vendors will be firing up the grills, filling the fryers, and prepping the delicious bites of this year’s event.
Brand new in 2024 is New Food Avenue. Located between Main Street Stage presented by Ohio Lottery and the Mountain Dew Midway, New Food Avenue will feature six new vendors offering a wide range of fair fare from pickle lemonade to savory “bombz” to dairy-free strawberry cream parfaits.
In addition to new vendors, there are many new food items sprinkled across the fairgrounds.
For the second year in a row, Schmidt’s, the longest running vendor at the Ohio State Fair, has teamed up with the Fair for an exclusive cream puff flavor. Beginning Opening Day, July 24, visitors can order a cotton candy cream puff from both the Schmidt’s locations, as well as the new Schmidt’s 1886 Restaurant. This fair-themed puff is a delicious blend of blue-colored custard served in the traditional cream puff exterior and dusted with powdered sugar. For those seeking a classic favorite, the traditional Schmidt’s vanilla cream puff will also be available.
Speaking of exclusive food items, Velvet Ice Cream has partnered with the Ohio State Fair since 2012 to offer an exclusive ice cream flavor. For the 2024 Ohio State Fair, fairgoers can find Velvet’s fair-exclusive Caramel Popcorn ice cream while visiting the butter cow and calf sculptures inside the Dairy Products Building. The caramel popcorn ice cream is full of butter toffee popcorn bark; a fair-themed treat sure to keep visitors cool during a summer day at the Fair.
The Ohio Poultry Association (OPA) is offering several new items that will be available in the Taste of Ohio Pavilion & Beer Garden. Turkey wings – weighing in at approximately one pound each, OPA says these wings are perfect to pair with an Ohio brew. On the sweet side, they will also offer a new cheesecake sundae – a deliciously creamy scoop of New York-style cheesecake topped with chocolate, cherry, or strawberry topping.
At their Devilishly Good stand in the Taste of Ohio Pavilion & Beer Garden, OPA is featuring six new deviled egg flavors: Espresso, Maple Bacon Crunch, Buffalo Chicken, Dill Pickle, Hot Dog, and the 2024 featured flavor of the year; to be announced by OPA soon.
Photo: Pickle Lemonade/Ohio State Fair
