SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State fair organizers in Illinois say they know well that food of all kinds – particularly fried – remains a popular draw for visitors to the events in Springfield and downstate Du Quoin.

 

But this year the two state fairs seem to have elevated the edible attractions even more, offering a number of new food items as well as introducing the world of competitive eating to the fairgrounds.

All of the regular “staples” were available this year in Springfield, and are also at the Du Quoin State Fair, which runs through Labor Day, Sept. 4. From deep-fried Oreos to funnel cakes, to sweet popcorn from central Illinois farms, food choices and quality received informal thumbs-ups during a visit to the Springfield fairgrounds early during that fair’s run from Aug. 10-20.

One of the new food items getting rave reviews from several visitors was the Pork Twister, offered at the Pork Patio in the Illinois Commodities Pavilion and sponsored by the Illinois Pork Producers Assoc. The snack on a stick is a mix of marinated pork tenderloin kabobs with thick-cut bacon slices woven throughout and grilled.

“I’ve always been a big fan of the pork chop on a stick, but I really loved this because it not only has twice the goodness of pork, but the edges of the bacon get crispy while the loin is so juicy,” said John Hoffman, a Petersburg resident at the fair with his wife, Jan, and two kids on Agriculture Day, August 15.

Hoffman’s oldest son, Jake, opted for the patio’s Da-Burger – a two-fisted concoction with a pork burger topped with pulled pork, then bacon, as well as cheese.

Competitive eating is a new attraction at both fairs this year, with daily contests featuring edibles traditionally considered fair favorites. On Ag Day, the devoured delicacy was sweet corn.

Springfield native Ted Hammers and Nico Scaduto, from nearby Jacksonville, each consumed 15 ears of sweet corn within the five-minute period, but judges tabbed Hammers the winner because Scaduto left a few more kernels on the cob than he did.

Hammers also employed a top-to-down on the cob eating style, using his bottom  teeth as a blade, rather than the more typical side-to-side munching style most people use on an ear of corn.

The day before, when miniature doughnuts were the featured contest item, Springfield stay-at-home Michele Severino bested two men for the title after she consumed 1.352 pounds of doughnuts in five minutes. Her closest competitor managed just 0.647 pound.

“Food is an important part of the Illinois State (Fair),” said Bryan Groves, a vice president at the Springfield State Journal-Register newspaper, a sponsor of the new contest.

He called the events a “unique way to highlight the traditional fair food and make people aware of all the fantastic food options at the Illinois State Fair.”

One of the new food options this year was the Slaw Dog, offered by 17th Street BBQ, which is headquartered in Murphysboro in southern Illinois. The Slaw Dog, a primarily pork dog topped with a secret coleslaw blend, was selected as the most creative new item in the Golden Abe’s Fantastic Fair Food contest.