From Deseret News archives:
Fair beckons folks with appetite
Food is big focus at event opening Thursday
With more open-air food concessions and efforts to bring the fair back home to what it once was, executive director Rick Frenette looks forward to the fair he knew as a child.
"We've got to get that sense of community back," he said.
Carnival rides are being put together and tents are being assembled. The hustle of people at the 60-acre Fairpark, 155 N. 1000 West, hints at the short time left before doors open and thousands of people descend upon the fair.
On opening day, visitors will be able to walk through exhibits and, most important, have food on a stick. Frenette hopes fairgoers will be able to get grab-and-go food so they can go out and enjoy the fair while eating.
One thing that will be featured this year is a childhood favorite of Frenette's the powder pop. He explains it as a kind of corn dog that has a special kind of batter.
Among the educational opportunities this year at the fair are exhibits like Little Hands on the Farm, returning for its third year. It gives children the opportunity to see how food goes from a seed to their table.
"Be Ready Utah" will educate people one how to plan and prepare for emergencies, whether small or catastrophic. There will be daily demonstrations, teaching materials and training.
"That's the kind of stuff we want to offer at the State Fair," Frenette said. "The kind of stuff you can't get anywhere else."
The Utah Department of Agriculture is working with the fair to present "Utah's Own." A food court presenting Utah growers, commodity groups and businesses will be set up at the north end of the fair park.
"It's our job to promote state products," Frenette said. "When we talked to the Department of Agriculture, the response was great" with 11 businesses immediately wanting to take part.
Classic traditions will also be returning this year like Utah's Own PRCA Rodeo. It runs Thursday-Saturday and starts at 7 p.m. Admission is included with fair entrance.
The Miss Utah State Fair Scholarship Program will also begin 7 p.m. Thursday at the Grandstand.
Free grandstand entertainment included with fair admission include Raven Symone and Lil J, Kansas and Josh Gracin. Seating tickets must be obtained from the Grandstand Ticket Office each day, beginning at noon. Limit is six per person.
Comments
- Cardinals rally for 31-20 win 6:31 p.m.
- Layton home has $100K in damages 6:24 p.m.
- TCU stuck at fourth in BCS 6:21 p.m.
- It was past time for Dobbs to go 6:11 p.m.
- Web surfers spill their guts on Net 6:11 p.m.
- Lessons from tempting the universe 6:11 p.m.
- Fight over smoking hurts family 6:11 p.m.
- Lack of languages limiting 6:11 p.m.
- Garden tips and events 6:11 p.m.
- Christmas trees need care 6:11 p.m.
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
361 - BYU happy to escape with victory
226 - TCU creams U.
218 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
201 - Will state consider gay rights law?
148 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
133 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
130 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - RSL heads to MLS title game
119 - Celtics crush Jazz
104
Sears is holding a special VIP night Sunday, Nov. 15, in stores and online.
How do you handle kids and contests? Our oldest daughter, 7, is of the...
Is it just me, or is anyone else tired of hearing this "I have great...
In really the only poll that counts....Utah is still ahead of BYU. Air Force...
That pole just came out. As much as I love my cougs, there is no way they...
One thing Utah has that you don't . . . class! Go tell what little thoughts...
Park city you lost and tied for 3/4th place but you are still trying to prove...
When you are ranked in the top twenty, maybe your comments will have some...
I can remember when the proclamation came about blacks being allowed into the...
Yeah, and Texas and Florida do? They play 8 home games and 4 road games...
You don't know that TCU is only going to lose a few starters. The Frogs could...
Some of you fans are rediculous with yoyur trash talk and disrespect. I...


You can be the first to comment on this story.