Arizona State Fair: fun, food, family and tradition
The State Fair has been an Arizona tradition for 125 years, even before statehood, Arizonans came together to show their best livestock, share their agricultural accomplishments and have fun. The 2009 Arizona State Fair marks the 64th consecutive annual State Fair, preserving the best of the Fair's long standing traditions, while moving forward with 21st century innovations in technologies for education and entertainment.
With so much to offer, the Arizona State Fair has something for everyone including outrageous fair foods, amusement park rides, skill games, concerts, vendors, livestock and agricultural competitions and shows. For the first time this year, the State Fair is hosting a 5K walk/run to kick off this year's fair on October 18.
If you’re a fair foodie then get ready to experience some amazing new treats this year. Beyond the traditional funnel cakes, corn dogs and cotton candy the fair offers a smorgasbord of deep fried and chocolate dipped goodness. New this year, check out the deep fried battered bacon on a stick with gravy, the sautéed meal worms served on a bun w/BBQ sauce and the smoked lizard on a stick. Also, try the deep fried scorpion or grasshopper, plain or dipped in chocolate.
Don’t forget to check out all of the fun rides while you’re at the fair including exciting thrills like the jumpin’ buggy, mega drop, bumper cars, starship, surf shack, tea cups, tilt-a-wheel, zipper, zero gravity and more! There is also a full line up of entertaining concerts with a little something for everyone. Some of the performances this year include Kelly Clarkson, Bob Dylan, The Black Crowes and David Cook. Or, take a blast to the past as the Old School Jams Presents Freestyle Explosion—which will feature tons of Old School artists including Lisa Lisa, Debbie Deb, Stevie B. and more.
There’s a ton to do in the kids fun zone, starting with Unkle Kunkle’s Farm! Kids can be a farmer for a day where they will milk a cow, gather eggs and compete in a junior rodeo. Or, check out the kid zone jungle safari and make jungle jewelry, play marshmallow golf and take the chimpanzee challenge. Some of Nickelodeon’s celebrities are scheduled to pay a visit including Diego, Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob SquarePants.
There’s much more to see and do at the Arizona State Fair so be sure to check out the website for a complete calendar of events. Also, follow the Fair on Twitter @azstatefair and find it on Facebook and Myspace for more updates and specials.
- by Jennifer Pruett, Phoenix Reporter for HelloMetro
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Jennifer PruettA self proclaimed “queen of everything," Jennifer is a writer, planner and passionate lover of making exciting events extra special. As a creative mother of two she loves art, music, family, friends, exotic cuisine and exploring new areas of self improvement. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal studies from the University of Oklahoma and has been writing restaurant and attraction reviews in the Phoenix Metro area since January, 2009.
