Photo Gallery: Pork is Key Ingredient in Fabulous Fair Food

Aug. 14, 2012

Pork Chop on a Stick

The Pork Chop on a Stick is a very popular (and portable) item at the Minnesota State Fair each year. The Great Minnesota Get-Together is coming up Aug. 23-Sept. 3, 2012. (Photo Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair)
Bacon Ice Cream

Attendees at this year's Minnesota State Fair will be able to cool off with Bacon Ice Cream during the fair's Aug. 23-Sept. 3 run. (Photo Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair)
Pork Chops are Popular

It takes a lot of pork chops to feed Iowa State Fairgoers. The Iowa State Fair runs Aug. 9-19, 2012. (Photo Courtesy of Iowa State Fair)
Breakfast Sliders

The Breakfast Sliders, featuring Cajun sausage, ham and steak served with scrambled eggs and topped with homemade garlic mayo, cheese and green onions are on the Minnesota State Fair menu in 2012. (Photo Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair)
Iowa State Fair Pork Chop on a Stick

Iowans enjoy eating a hearty pork chop on a stick while seeing the fair too! (Photo Courtesy of Iowa State Fair)
Ragin' Ankles

Slow-smoked tender pork shanks, crispy fried and tossed in a spicy pineapple rage sauce (a combination of grilled fresh pineapple, habaneros, BBQ sauce, pineapple juice and cayenne pepper) are new this year at the Minnesota State Fair. (Photo Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair)
Bacon on a Stick

Bacon is the perfect fair food! This young man is enjoying his Bacon on a Stick at the Iowa State Fair this week. (Photo Courtesy of Iowa State Fair)
Great Balls of Fire

Hot and spicy ground pork sausage rolled into balls and served with dipping sauces such as Korean BBQ, cool cucumber and Indian curry will be a highlight of a Minnesota State Fair trip in 2012. (Photo Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair)
Iowa's Double-Bacon Corn Dog on a Stick

The Double-Bacon Corn Dog on a Stick made its debut at the Iowa State Fair this year. (Photo Courtesy of Iowa State Fair)
Ribs--Perfect Fair Food (No Stick Required)

Of course Ribs are the perfectly portable fair food--and they come with their own handles! These tasty ribs are moments from being eaten at the Iowa State Fair. (Photo Courtesy of Iowa State Fair).
Hungry Fairgoers Eat A Lot of Pork!

It takes a lot of pork to feed state fair attendees each year! Look at all of these hungry Iowa State Fair guests! (Photo Courtesy of Iowa State Fair)

'Tis the season for amazing (sometimes bizarre) food finds at local fairs! Some fairs have come and gone by now, some are in progress and some are still coming up. We're bringing National Hog Farmer readers a small taste of some of the pork-based treats at a few state fairs. If you've got a food find or picture from your favorite fair, email lora.berg@penton.com. Enjoy!