Some people go to the North Florida Fair for rides on the Ferris wheels and tilt-a-whirls, but for others, the fair is all about the food.
Funnel cakes, turkey legs and fried Oreos are prize draws for any fair but this year’s North Florida Fair’s offerings have a “south of the border” twist.
The 101st North Florida Fair opened on Thursday, Nov. 2 and concludes on Sunday, Nov. 12.
This year’s attendees are invited to expand their palates to new editions of the classic fair fare of corn dogs, candied apples and cannolis.
Fair-goers are invited to treat themselves to the candy apples first introduced in a Newark, New Jersey candy shop in 1908. They pack a new punch as they are rolled in a dried, ground red chili seasoning mix combined with sea salt and dehydrated lime juice, known as Tajín.
The third-generation carnival concessioners Doug and Lori Dills are bringing “Tajín Candy Apples” to the menu for the first time.
“Even if you don’t like candy apples, the mix of sweet and sour creates a unique flavor,” said Marty Biniasz, manager of marketing for the Strates Shows.
If guests are looking for something savory, they have an opportunity to visit concessioner Steve Ianni to taste authentic Korean Corn Dogs dubbed “K-Dogs”, which have drawn a spotlight on TikTok.
The corn dog from across the world is made with an all-beef hot dog and mozzarella cheese dipped in batter, deep fried, and then rolled in a choice of Takis Mexican chips, fried potato cubes or Hot Cheeto dust as the toppings.
The corn dog popularized through social media platforms like Instagram once served as a staple street treat in post-war South Korea and has continued to gain popularity all over the world.
Ianni’s stand will also feature roasted corn-on-the-cob that is served either with the traditional buttery flavor or as Mexican street corn layered in cheese, mayo and chili powder.
Those looking to combine the savory, sweet and deep-fried crunch that all these treats offer have the opportunity to try a deep-fried cannoli on a stick at this year’s fair as well.
Restaurateur Pal Fontana will debut the traditional Italian pastry as a “Deep Fried Cannoli On A Stick” at his concessions stand on the Strates Shows Midway.
Composed of freshly sourced cannoli pastry shells that are filled with a sweet, ricotta-based creamy filling, the Fontata family recipe has been enjoyed by generations.
A stick is then added to the filling and dipped in batter and deep-fried until golden brown.
The final toppings are sugar, caramel or chocolate syrup.
“You get the best of both the traditional cannoli lusciousness with that unmistaken fair flavor of a battered and fried delicacy,” Fontana said.
For more fair information you can visit https://northfloridafair.com.
Democrat writer Kyla Sanford can be reached at ksanford@gannett.com.