August 22, 2012
The quest of 57 sticks laden with food
So, when I first set out
on this venture of eating all 57
foods on a stick at the Iowa
State Fair, my eyes may have
been bigger than my stomach
or wallet combined.
Following another two
days at the state fair, I soon
realized that this was one
quest that I was probably
going to have to bow out of.
I figured with my remaining
dollars I would give it a go to
see where I would end up.
To start my second go
around I began the day with a
breakfast lamb sausage. In order to do this one it needed to be
early as the tent only sold them for breakfast and when they were
gone, there were no more for the day. As I sauntered around the
grounds I stumbled upon the turkey tenderloins on a stick. Much
to my surprise the tryptophan coma did not kick near as much as
on Thanksgiving.
Two more free eggs on a stick sounded like a good snack.
To finish the day I embarked on a taste bud trivium as I tried
to decipher all that was in the fair square. This item seemed to
me, a Rice Krispy bar, hopped up on steroids. Full of Oreo’s,
M&M’s, and who knows what else. To nicely finish that meal I
opted for fried chicken and another pork chop on a stick.
Saturday was the final push. I started off with a chocolate
covered chocolate chip cannoli. Aside from the thing being as
hard as a rock it was real sweet and rich. I also had chocolate
covered cheese cake. Well, I didn’t technically eat it, but the one
bite I snagged away from my girlfriend allowed it to be counted
to my list.
As my great-grandmother
used to say; “Eat your dessert
first, that way you know you
have room for it.” I took her
advice.
Following my first show
I felt a rumble that only
teriyaki beef would cure, or
so I thought. After a few bites
I quickly traded mine for my
girlfriend’ssesame chicken
stick. What a much better
option. That hit the spot!
Next, I set out to find
German sausage and a large
pickle, much to my dismay, I could find neither. I was directed
to a stand where the volunteers believed I might find a piclke,
but this was the pickle-dog. I waited in line so long to get my
pickle on a stick they did not have, I gave in and bought two
fried pickle dogs. MMMM. They were pickles covered in cream
cheese, pastrami or ham, then deep fried.
As I walked into the general store on the grounds, I
immediately spotted old fashioned rock candy. I absolutely had
to get one.
As my fair time came to a close I had to swallow my Pepto
along with my pride pill and admit that the beast had won.
All-in-all, it is true that “Nothing Compares” to the Iowa State
Fair. Maybe next year I will have to try all 36 of the Iowa craft
beers.
Until next time, just keep swimming
Robert "Fish" Fisher