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New Foods Coming to the Georgia-Carolina State Fair in Augusta This Week

Author Mary Liz Nolan
Tajin Candy Apples part of the "midway makeover" at the Georgia-Carolina State Fair

The cooler weather has finally arrived, and so has fair season.

The 100th Georgia-Carolina State Fair opens in Augusta this Friday, October 13 at the Augusta Fairgrounds at 308 Hale Street. It will run through October 22.

Of course there are plenty of rides, exhibits and livestock competitions, but you can’t pass up the food!

New Food Coming to the Georgia-Carolina State Fair

This year, the James E. Strates Show will offer traditional fair classics like corn dogs, fries, candy apples and the ever-popular elephant ears. Fairgoers will also be treated this year to some foods that have undergone a “midway makeover.”

Candy apples will also be offered with a “south of the border,” spicy reinvention, according to Marty Biniasz, Manager of Market for the Strates Shows.   Candy apples are rolled in the Mexican seasoning Tajin. Tajin is a blend of dried and ground red chilies, sea salt and dehydrated lime juice.

Another “midway makeover” includes the time-honored corn dog.  You can now get “Korean Corn Dogs” at the fair.  It’s an all-beef hot dog and mozzarella cheese dipped in batter, fried and then rolled in a choice of toppings including Takis Mexican chips, fried potato cubes or Hot Cheeto dust.  You can pair that with fresh roasted corn-on-the cob that’s served with butter or as Mexican Street Corn layered in cheese, mayo and chili powder.

For a new twist on dessert, try the Deep Fried Cannoli On a Stick.  It’s cannoli pastry shells with a sweet, ricotta-based creamy filling.  Once filled, a stick is added and the cannoli are dipped in batter and deep fried, then served with a simple covering of powdered sugar or drizzled with chocolate or caramel syrup.

The Georgia-Carolina State Fair hours will be Monday through Friday from 5 pm to 10 pm; and noon until 10 pm Saturday and Sunday.  Rides will be open until 11 pm.

Tickets start at $5 and $10 at the gate, but there will be daily specials.  More information is available at gerogiacarolinastatefair.com.

The Best Food Festival in Georgia and South Carolina

Who doesn’t love a great food festival? But with so many to choose from, which is the best food festival in Georgia and South Carolina?

Food Festivals are a great way to experience some of your favorite foods, try new things, or find the best of the best in your area! Most large food festivals are centered on one particular type of food, or have a certain theme- like seafood or food and wine.

Food festivals in your local area can give you a chance to try out some of the great local fare that you may not have known about or had a chance to sample.

And if you’re visiting a new city, Food Festivals offer a great way to check out the local culinary offerings, without having to plan out which restaurants to dine at.  It’s a one stop shop!

Usually, Spring is when these big festivals start to kick off.  You may see a few throughout the summer and depending on the theme, you may have some to check out in the Fall as well.

The website Eat This, Not That! has put together a list of the best food festival in every state.

Here are a few of the Best Food Festivals in Georgia, South Carolina and a few other surrounding states:

  • Georgia - The Georgia Apple Festival in Ellijay

    Ellijay is located in North Georgia, and they claim to have the best apples.  The Georgia Apple Festival website says Ellijay is the heart of Georgia’s apple country.  The festival is always the second and third full weekends in October. Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm and Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm.

    The 2022 Georgia Apple Festival is happening October 8th-9th and October 15th-16th at the Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds. Enjoy a little bit of all things apple! Plus arts and crafts, an antique car show and more!

  • South Carolina - Boiled Peanut Festival in Bluffton

    Who knew there was a whole festival to celebrate a Southern favorite?!  The town of Bluffton, South Carolina hosts the Bluffton Boiled Peanut Festival each September.  The event has live music, a boiled peanut cook-off… and of course, all-you-can-eat-boiled peanuts.  There are sellers from all over the country who come to Bluffton to compete for the coveted title: “Best Nuts in Town.”

    Looks like this year’s event is scheduled for September 24, 2022 at the Historic Heyward House.

    https://www.facebook.com/blufftonboiledpeanutfestival/photos/a.1053920564648425/6369884846385277/?type=3

  • North Carolina - The NC Oyster Festival in Ocean Isle Beach

    All things oysters can be found at the NC Oyster Festival in Ocean Isle Beach.  The festival takes places at the start of oyster season each October.  There are fun competitions- like oyster-eating, shucking and an oyster stew cook-off.  Many local restaurants get involved to showcase dishes for visitors to try. Plus you can enjoy live music and arts and crafts with many local vendors too.

    It takes place at Town Center Park in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina.  This year’s event is set for October 15th and 16th.

    https://www.facebook.com/ncoysterfestival/posts/10160346864432873

  • Tennessee - Dollywood's Flower and Food Festival in Pigeon Forge

    This festival is a great way to experience the beautiful colors AND flavors in the Smoky Mountains! With over 500,000 flowers throughout the park, and fresh dining options from Dollywood chefs, this is a great way to celebrate spring.  Some featured foods include fresh berry and lavender funnel cake, beef bulgogi nachos and blood orange lemonade.

    This year’s festival kicks off April 22nd and goes through June 5th. Learn more on their website.

     

  • Florida - EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival in Orlando

    Disney World and a food and wine festival?  A dream come true! The EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival is a Florida favorite.  The event is much longer than most festivals, running from mid-July through mid-November.  Dozens of food booths represent the various countries, and each booth features a few dishes and drinks to enjoy!

  • Heading to Another State?

    Check out the rest of the Best Food Festival by State list at Eat This, Not That!

    We recently hosted our own food festival… Spring Wing Fest! See some photos: 

    Gallery: Spring Wing Fest 2022

Mary Liz is the News Director and Co-Host of Augusta’s Morning News on WGAC. She spent 11 years as a News Director at an Indiana Radio Station. She has also worked as a former Police and Courts Reporter for The Republic Newspaper and Assistant Marketing Director of Merchants National Bank in Indianapolis. Mary Liz focuses most on local breaking news stories, feature stories on upcoming events, or community-service related organizations and the people who serve them. She has been with WGAC since 1995.

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