ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Allentown Fair is less than two weeks away, and things already are cooking — so to speak.
For the 172nd fair, which kicks off Aug. 28 and runs through Labor Day, Sept. 2, fair President Daryl Urmy has challenged concessionaires to come up with new treats at their stands, the fair announced Thursday.
Eighteen concessions have responded, hoping fair-goers will belly up to their counters and try something new.
Urmy will award a prize for the best new item as chosen by fair-goers, the fair said.
Locations of the foods can be found on the fair’s website at AllentownFair.com: Look for the red diamond-shaped signs at the participating food stands, inside Agri~Plex, at each entry gate and at both InFAIRmation booths.
To vote, scan the QR code.
Here are the choices, and the concessions’ descriptions:
The Rosston Dog, J&J Smokehouse: A juicy, all-beef hotdog on a fresh steak roll, smothered in cheese sauce, topped with homemade BBQ pulled pork and crumbled bacon.
Sweet Corn Fritters, Randevoo: Sweet corn fritters with a sweet Pennsylvania maple syrup sage brown butter.
Apple Turnover Empanada, Buns on the Go LLC: A dessert empanada filled with apple pie filling in an empanada shell fired to perfection then topped with powdered sugar and a caramel drizzle.
Campfire Cone, Mon and Mel’s Sweet Scoop Ice Cream Truck: Waffle cone filled with hot fudge, marshmallow and graham cracker crumbs topped with ice cream and coated with graham cracker, chocolate syrup, chocolate candy bar and toasted mallow.
Grandpa’s Famous Birria Tacos, Grandpa’s Kitchen – La Cocina del Abuelo: Mouth-watering birria tacos slow cooked (16 hours), marinated beef served in a crispy tortilla with melted cheese, onions and cilantro. Served with broth (consome) in which to dip the tacos.
Carne-Val Asada Crepe, Fat Guy Crepe, in Farmer’s Market: Thin-slices flank steak, marinated in Carne Asada seasoning, with street corn and salsa.
Crepe Cup, Fat Guy Crepe, on Midway: Pancake parfaits. Each cup contains homemade whipped cream, 10 mini pancakes. Flavors including cherry cheesecake, Oreo cheesecake and classic (banana, strawberry, Nutella).
Loaded Chicken and Chip Meal, Pocono Potato Chip Company: Made-to-order twisted gourmet chips piled high and topped with plump, crispy chicken nuggets, all topped with cheddar cheese sauce, shredded cheddar, sou cream, crispy applewood smoked bacon, crumbles and fresh scallions.
Grape Leaves, Hot and Fresh Grill: Grape leaves stuffed with a mix of rice, seasonings, onion and dill.
Danny’s Chicken Cordon Bleu, Danny’s Fine Foods: Deep-fried moist chicken smothered with ham, Swiss and American cheese, topped with mustard sauce.
Poutine, Kopper Penny Koncessions: Fresh-cut fries, layered with cheese curds and topped off with tasty gravy.
The Tater-Mac Pizza, Scarlet Fire Pizza: Mac n’ cheese, topped with tater tots, mozzarella cheese and dollops of red sauce.
Root Beer Float Kettle Korn, Hoff’s Kettle Korn: Two flavors to make the float — root beer and original kettle corn.
Grilled Peanut Butter Chicken Kabobs, Kou Kitchen LLC: Cube chicken breast seasoned and marinated in homemade peanut butter sauce for a day, then grilled over an open flame.
Birria Nachos, La Kasita de Familia: Crospy homemade tortilla shells topped with tender, slow-cooked, seasoned shredded beer, refried beans, shredded cheese, cilantro, onion, tomato, sour cream and guacamole.
S'mores Donut, Amish Donuts: A donut topped with marshmallow fluff.
Polish Sampler, Cal’s Concessions – Taste Our Balls: Includes deep-fried kielbasi balls, deep-friend halupki ballsm (pigs in a blanket) and homemade klopsy (Polish pork meatballs).
Breakfast in Bed, Beach Beans Coffee: Combination of buttery, nutty and sweet, with the decadence of caramel, with the scent of fresh pastry in the morning.
