Fair fare — Utah State Fair has always been about food since it began in 1856

The Utah State Fair has more food than you can shake a stick at — literally.

Caramel apples on a stick.

Corn dogs (also known as "pronto pups") on a stick.

Pork chop on a stick.

Chocolate-dipped bananas on a stick.

Chocolate-dipped strawberries on a stick.

Teriyaki meatballs on a stick.

Sausage on a stick.

OK, so it's not exactly the Minnesota State Fair — where they have 56 different kinds of food-on-a-stick, including ostrich, alligator and Belgian waffles — but it's getting there.

And there's enough deep-fried chow to make the nutrition police choke on their whistles — deep-fried Twinkies, deep-fried candy bars, deep-fried Oreos and deep-fried Coke.

Yes, that's right. Deep-fried Coke was judged the "most creative" new concession snack at the 2006 State Fair of Texas, and it is making its way to fairs across America this year, including the Utah State Fair.

Coke-flavored batter gets a dip in a vat of hot fat. The results are then drizzled with Coke syrup and can be topped with whipped cream, cinnamon sugar and a cherry.

For those who are already feeling their arteries clog, "Next year our concessions will be all trans-fat free," said Denise Allen, the Utah State Fair's marketing director, with a laugh. "I guess that's kind of an oxymoron."

Other interesting munchies: Cajun shrimp, catfish sandwich, turkey legs, fajitas, gyros, corn-on-the-cob, meat pies and Hawaiian kalua pig.

Of course all these munchies are going to make a dent in your wallet. Although Allen couldn't give specific amounts, she says drinks start at $1 and food items can run up to $9.

"We're encouraging our vendors to offer family pricing, such as drink refills, or maybe five corn dogs for a reduced price, so that it's more competitive with pricing," said Allen.

Those looking for bargains can try the Dairy Council of Utah's Ice Cream Festival on Sept. 10. It's all-you-can-eat ice cream at $3 for adults and $2 for children.

"It's crazy, it's fun, we'll have FM100 (radio station) there and an ice cream-eating contest," said Jenn Harrison of the Utah Dairy Council. "We will have eight different ice cream vendors participating, and it's mass crowds of people."