More sticks than you can poke an animal at...

Or should that be more animals than you can poke a stick at...

Oh, no.

This is the Wisconsin State Fair.

Held every August at the height of a sticky Midwestern summer; when the fields are full of corn, the kids are roaming free, and the acres of once pale white skin are now blistering red; the State Fair is one hell'ova A&P Show.

When I was young, the trip to the Canterbury A&P Show under nor'wester skies was the excuse for a new summer dress. I can tell you one thing - I don't think there were any new little dresses at the Wisconsin State Fair....but there was way too much bare skin (I was guilty) and too much tummy overhang.

And the reason for it all - plenty of cheese curds - and food on sticks.

There were corn dogs (hot dogs on a stick), GIANT corn dogs, pork chops on a stick, frozen cheesecake on a stick, candy apples (on a stick), frozen bananas on a stick, deep fried pickles on a stick, s'mores on a stick (see here for those unfamiliar with a s'more!).

Here are few pics of some of the food offerings on offer...Note the lack of the colour green. There was a vegetable food stall...selling....(wait for it)... deep fried vegetables, fried sweet potatoes, fried mixed vegetables, and I couldn't resist - my first ever helping of fried green tomatoes...note the do rag (bandana) - it's actually Louis Vuitton, but all the Harley chicks wear them!...

There was a stall selling nothing but "Fried Dough"

The sign says it all...

The deep fried battered s'more - on a stick! (we did not eat one of these!)
The rotisserie'd corn (see the burnt husk) dipped in melted butter was goooood...

What's THE most talked about thing to see at the Wisconsin State Fair?....The champion all-star bull? The Budweiser Clydesdales. The ultra high-flying, death-defying, lunch up-bringing ride? The bearded lady? The best-in-show-made-with-real-butter pound cake? The man selling the best-ever jewelery cleaner/feather duster/non-stick frying pan/garage gadget/hedge clipper/sharpest-ever knife set...they're all there....but no. It's the cream puff.

Wisconsin is known for its cows and cheese - and to get cheese you need milk - and cream. Well, apparently some time ago the Wisconsin Association of Bakers decided to show off their skills at the State Fair by making and selling choux pastry puffs, filled with fresh whipped cream. And sell them they do...

Luckily there were no queues when we were there - but they were ready!...
There is even a drive through area where people can phone in their orders and drive through and pick them up - without having to come into the Fair. Apparently 6-packs are seen in offices at coffee time all across the city during the week of the fair! For more about the famous Wisconsin State Fair cream puff check this out.

You think the ropes are a little crazy....they sell up to 50,000 per day - for the 10 days of the event! At $3 a pop - think of the margin.

We restrained ourselves - and shared one...

The animals and 10,000 Maniacs in the next post. I'm off to bed!