LEBANON, Ind — It will be tough this summer not experiencing the sights and sounds of the Indiana State Fair.
But even though COVID-19's forced the cancelation of this classic event and many others, you can still get a taste of the fair this summer.
“We are open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.,” said Angie Humpert as she served lemon shakeups and batter-dipped corndogs from her roadside food trailer near downtown Lebanon.
Canceled fairs aren’t keeping her down.
“People love their fair food,” she said.
Just up the road, another food trailer was opening up for the Friday afternoon lunch rush. Along roadsides and in parking lots from Lebanon to Lafayette to Anderson, fair food vendors are setting up and serving up summertime favorites.
“There's an elephant ear truck that's out sometimes,” said one woman in Lebanon as she stood in line for a lemonade shakeup. “So I I've been to that one too. I think its really cool, especially since there's not a fair to go to."
“Can’t get them at the fair,” said another customer. “Seeing this stand, I had to stop and get it.”
It may not be business as usual, but some vendors have been pleasantly surprised.
“Actually, it’s been pretty amazing,” said Erik Gibson as he was cooking fair food in the parking lot of the Tippecanoe Mall in Lafayette.
Life, this year, may have handed them lemons. But they're choosing to make lemonade.
Or in this case — a lemon shakeup.
“Gotta think positive,” said Humpert.
Here are some of the fair food stand locations:
- 800 block of Indianapolis Avenue, Lebanon, Indiana
- SR 38 and Kingsway Drive, Lafayette, Indiana
- Applewood Center, Scatterfield Parkway, Anderson, Indiana
- Hancock County Fairgrounds, Greenfield, Indiana