As summer dwindles down to its final days, it can only mean one thing – state fair season is upon us once again. Each state fair has its own unique quirks and traditions, and this year is no different. Here are five of the oddest traditions you can find at state fairs across the country:
1. The butter sculptures:
What better way to celebrate the agricultural heritage of our great nation than by carving it out of a 500-pound block of butter? At state fairs like the Iowa State Fair, visitors can marvel at buttery masterpieces depicting everything from cows and tractors to Elvis Presley and Harry Potter. Because nothing screams “heartland values” quite like slathering a celebrity in cholesterol.
2. The demolition derby:
For those who prefer their entertainment with a little more crunch, there’s the demolition derby. At fairs like the Kentucky State Fair, drivers compete in a violent game of bumper cars, with the last one standing crowned the winner. Nothing says family fun like watching a bunch of beat-up cars smash into each other until only a pile of twisted metal remains.
3. The pig race:
In the immortal words of Porky Pig, “That’s all, folks!” Except it’s not – not until you’ve watched a bunch of squealing swine run laps for your amusement. At fairs like the California State Fair, visitors can bet on their favorite pig to win and cheer them on as they waddle toward the finish line. Take that, Olympic athletes.
4. The “unique” food options:
Sure, you could have a plain old hot dog or funnel cake – but where’s the excitement in that? At state fairs like the Texas State Fair, visitors can chow down on such culinary delicacies as deep-fried Oreos, fried chicken in a waffle cone, and fried Jell-O. Because why eat something that’s not covered in batter and deep-fried to a crisp?
5. The butter cow:
Yes, I know we already mentioned butter sculptures – but this one deserves its own spot on the list. At the Ohio State Fair, visitors can gawk at an entire cow made out of butter. That’s right, an ENTIRE COW. Because why settle for a mere sculpture of a cow when you can have a whole cow’s worth of butter shaped like a cow? It’s like a weird, delicious version of inception.
So there you have it – five of the most bizarre traditions you can find at state fairs across the country. Whether you’re into butter, pigs, or demolition derbies, there’s something for everyone. And if you’re not into any of those things…well, maybe just stick to the plain hot dog.
