Elkhart County 4-H Fair serves up a feast of iconic & unique fair food

The combination of professional food vendors who make a living serving fair food with the civic, 4-H and nonprofit groups who offer food at the event creates a unique blend of offerings at 72 different booths or stands.

“The biggest distinction is the community involvement in the fair,” said Kevin McGrath, whose family has operated The Best Around Concessions at the fair since 1980. The McGraths, based in Cape Coral, Fla., serve food at around 20 events a year and have 10 stands at the Elkhart County event.

The McGraths are one of 23 professional vendors who offer food at the fair. Another 16 nonprofit groups are there grilling burgers, serving ice cream, or selling pizza. The professionals are there to sell food to make a living. The nonprofit groups are raising money for a different reason, said Randi Yoder, who volunteers as food concession director for the fair. “They’re wanting to raise as much money as they can for their particular organization they represent. They give almost all the funds away.” he said.

Of course you can find elephant ears, the large flat sheath of dough topped with sugar or fruit topping. Corn dogs and other foods on a stick are common too. Nelson’s, makers of the county’s iconic marinated and grilled chicken, is there on Food Row alongside many of the other booths.

But you can also find fresh mini doughnuts, broasted potatoes topped with Greek seasoning, and plenty of grilled meats.

Yoder, who works as food director of Das Dutchman Essenhaus in Middlebury, said his goal at the fair is similar to one of the region’s iconic restaurants. “We try to make an effort to be diverse. We try to have a variety,” he said.

Food costs have risen, but fairgoers will be able to find items for a range of costs, from a $2 grilled cheese to a $19 one-pound cheeseburger.

McGrath is amazed at how nearly everyone in Elkhart County has some connection to the fair that’s more than just being a fairgoer. Some are sponsors or volunteers. Others show up and make and sell food. “I always tout the Elkhart County 4-H Fair. My brother and I grew up on that fairgrounds,” he said.

Longtime food writer and journalist Marshall V. King recommends these favorite foods if you’re visiting the Elkhart County 4-H Fair from July 19-27, 2024

• Soft ice cream from the Dairy Bar (two locations on the grounds) - This rich, creamy soft serve comes in a range of flavors. Enjoy it quickly because it melts fast.
• Goshen Noon Kiwanis’ cheeseburger with an ear of Sweet Corn Charlie’s sweet corn and potato salad. - I’m part of this service club that offers burgers grilled over charcoal, local sweet corn, and a potato salad made from an old local recipe.
• Broasted potatoes from Joe’s Gyros- These potato wedges are fried and then topped with margarine and Greek seasoning. They’re decadent.
• Funnel cake from The Best Around Concessions - The location on Food Row offers fun flavors. If you’re going to enjoy a funnel cake, get one from here.

Marshall V. King is a longtime writer and journalist in Elkhart County, IN. He covered the Elkhart County 4-H Fair for 15 years, earning the nickname “Fair Boy.” He wrote the popular newspaper column, “Dining A La King,” and continues to write about food at hungrymarshall.substack.com.