Minnesota State Fair

[mylady4]

I am going to the Minnesota state fair on Friday and I am wondering if there are any placed to eat that specialize in wheat free foods? I know that I can have the corn on the cob (very tasty) and pork chops and chicken on a stick but is there anything I should treat myself with? I had a scone last year and it was oh so good but that is out of the question. I tried to go to the website and see if they had anything special but turned up nothing.

Thanks for the help,

Nicole

[2wheels4eyes]

I was given a list of vendors with gluten-free foods compiled by the local celiac group but I've misplaced it. I'm attending the fair on Thursday and will try to find and post the list before then (if someone who knows more than us posts it first!) As I remember, the list was rather scanty--they said a lot of vendors didn't get back to them in time for the list to be printed. So things that they know are gluten-free didn't make the vendor list. Apparently they're also going to have a table or something at the fair itself.

[Jennas-auntie]

I was given a list of vendors with gluten-free foods compiled by the local celiac group but I've misplaced it. I'm attending the fair on Thursday and will try to find and post the list before then (if someone who knows more than us posts it first!) As I remember, the list was rather scanty--they said a lot of vendors didn't get back to them in time for the list to be printed. So things that they know are gluten-free didn't make the vendor list. Apparently they're also going to have a table or something at the fair itself.

This is from the Northland Celiac Group's website:

"Love the State Fair, but afraid there won't be anything you can eat? Stop by the NCSG/ROCK Celiac Awareness Information booth and pick up a free "Gluten-Free Food on a Stick" guide to gluten-free dining at the State Fair! We will be located in the Health Fair 11 building, at the intersection of Dan Patch Avenue and Cooper Street. Minnesota State Fair: August 24 - September 4, 2006."

It would be nice to have a list prior to going to the fair, but you can try the booth at the Health Fair 11 building and see!

[LonelyWolf307]

Wow, and I was just going to bring my own lunch to the MN state fair. I'll have to stop by that booth and pick up a guide, thanks for the tip! Good to see I'm not the only Minnesotan on this forum too

[mylady4]

Thanks so much for the information. That may be the first place we go. I found that they sell fruit on a stick, corn on the cob and kababs which all should be safe. I would like a special treat that day though. Maybe the peanut nut roll will be safe.

Nicole

[Jennas-auntie]

Thanks so much for the information. That may be the first place we go. I found that they sell fruit on a stick, corn on the cob and kababs which all should be safe. I would like a special treat that day though. Maybe the peanut nut roll will be safe.

Nicole

Have fun! I may be going myself on Friday and if I do I'll do recon for you all, if you don't beat me to it!

[Natlay]

It looks like all the gluten free eaters will be going to the fair on Friday...that's when my husband and I are going too

Cotton candy is safe right? I think it's just sugar. It better be safe because I'm planning on living on it for the day

[mylady4]

Maybe we will run into each other at the celiac booth. We live about an hour away in Wisconsin and will be dropping my youngest off at respite care after I work all night. Hope everyone has a good gluten free day.

Nicole

[kbtoyssni]

I think cotton candy should be safe. It is just sugar crystals that are spun into that fun, fluffy shape, and I would think that cotton candy booths might be less prone to contaimination than other booths. A co-worker went to the fair yesterday and brought me the "Gluten Free Menu on a Stick"! It was a very exciting surprise waiting for me when I got to work today You can pick one up at the KARE11 booth. Here's a list of the vendors who have gluten-free options:

Andre's Watermelon

Bayou Bob's Gater Shack

Cinnamon Roasted Nuts

Corn Roast

Foot Long Hot Dog

Fudge Folks

German Roasted Nuts

Henry's Kettle Korn

Kathie's Cotton Candy

Key Lime Pie Bar (at first I thought, what??? Pie??? but it's a sorbet place)

The Lamb Shoppe

Lynn's Lefse (jam)

MN Wild Rice Specialties

MN Apples

Moe & Joe's Famous Coffee

Nitro Ice Cream

Pickle Dog

Simply Nuts

Sonny's Sandwiches and Spiral Chips

These vendors offer extended menus (not sure what this means):

Ball Park Cafe

Coasters

Giggle's Campfire Grill

[Jennas-auntie]

Nice list! Corn Roast place great! Ah, alligators are gluten free I see... not sure I want to try alligator though

[musicchick64]

Hi Everyone,

I'm very new to this - the site and to not eating any gluten. I'm not very happy about it yet. Not sure if I will ever be. The State Fair is one of those things that I look forward to every year. My daughter and I go and try everything there. Obviously that isn't going to be the case this year. She really wants to go - and we are, tomorrow. When does this get easier to accept? I can't even get excited about the fair! I wonder if I'm just not feeling sorry for myself. I am hoping it is a normal place to be and that it will pass eventually.

My blood work came back negative for celiac but showed an allergy to wheat and gluten. I have learned the hard way over the past 6 months that cheating is a very bad thing. I still can't help but think that maybe one bad day wouldn't kill me. I would really appreciate any feedback. And encouragement that this does get easier!

Lisa

[sparkles]

I used to love "eating" my way through the fair.... if only they could come up with gluten-free onion rings and cheese curds, mini donuts, pronto pups, chocolate chip cookies ( that taste like the REAL thing).... BUT I am glad to hear that the pork chops are gluten-free. That was always our first stop as we parked behind the Heritage Square and began our journey with a pork chop on a stick. Who says you can't be creative for breakfast???? I haven't been to the fair since dx...maybe next year. I am glad to see a gluten-free list!

[grantschoep]

I just talked to my Dad this weekend over the phone, he is also Celiac. He said there was a "gluten free information booth" that was specifically about foods at the State Fair. I don't get back to MN much, but do miss the fair, I have been to many other state fair's, and MN's blows them all away.

Oh just did a search of the site, I see there was a Gluten Free baking event

Goto

Open Original Shared Link

And type in gluten

[Cheri A]

It looks like they will have that list again at the Kare 11 booth!

Open Original Shared Link

My 8 year old dines on corn, Andre's Watermelon, the snow-cone/slushy drink thing.

[Juliebove]

I guess I am lucky in that I don't like most fair food or what I would consider junk food. I am always on the lookout for good fresh vegetables. Found celery sticks at a wings place, but not sure they would sell them to you by themselves.

What I do is pack a large purse with things I know are safe for my daughter and I (both have food allergies) to eat. That way if we can't find what we need, we won't starve. Last year I took baby carrots, nuts and jerky. We managed to get hamburger patties with onions, French fries and later we had popcorn. I think she also had cotton candy.