Deep-Fried Snacks Often Steal the State Fair Spotlight, But Don’t Skip the MD Foods Pavilion

The corn dogs and fried Oreos on the Midway at the Maryland State Fair will always have their fans, and they’ve earned them. But the fair’s Maryland Foods Pavilion—where nearly everything on the menu comes from a local purveyor rather than a factory—deserves its flowers, as well.

Tucked near the Cow Palace, the pavilion is a cluster of vendor stands run by small, multi-generational Maryland businesses and farm families. (Think: everything fried-green tomatoes and corn fritters to crab cakes from Costa’s and pit beef sandwiches from Jake’s Grill.)

Stanley Dabkowski—lovingly referred to as “Farmer Stan”—has run the pavilion (which started out as an Army tent in 1983) for 40 years, and says he’s the last of the original vendors still around.

Despite rising costs that have pushed some longtime sellers out over the decades, Dabkowski says the pavilion has still managed to bring in new faces and hold on to its original mission of amplifying area producers. For his part, he estimates that about 90 percent of what he sells—including corn on the cob and his famous yogurt peach sundaes—is sourced from his own Spring Meadow Farm in Upperco.

Supporting and preserving Maryland agriculture—which has been particularly top of mind in the wake of constant food recalls and the nationwide cyclospora outbreak this summer—is the at the core of the 145-year-old fair’s ethos, after all. So make sure that when you visit this year (Aug. 27-30, Sept. 3-7, and Sept. 10-13) you check out all of the locally sourced snacks—along with the rides, concerts, livestock, rodeo, and other thrills.

Here’s a quick preview of what’s on offer in the Maryland Foods Pavilion:

Maryland-Grown Goodies

Maryland Peach Sundaes: A pavilion staple, Dabkowski’s famous yogurt peach sundaes top swirls of vanilla soft-serve with local peaches and globs of fresh whipped cream sourced directly from Spring Meadow.

Corn on the Cob/Kettle Corn: Whether you like your corn steamed and slathered with butter, or popped into a sweet snack, Dabkowski has you covered at the Spring Meadow Farm stand.

Maryland Dairy Bar: If you’re in the mood for a summer scoop, look just across from the pavilion, where a different Maryland creamery takes over the “Flavor of the Day” spot every day of the fair.

Fresh Fries: Dabkowski’s brother now handles the pavilion’s addicting French fries, which are cut from potatoes grown in Hampstead. “We think they’re better than Thrasher’s,” Dabkowski says, comparing them to the Maryland and Delaware boardwalk favorite often coated in shakes of vinegar.

Checkerspot Brewing’s “Year-Round Fairground” Blonde Ale: New this year at the pavilion’s north end is The Blue Ribbon Bar, which will sling wine, spirits, and a beer brewed specifically for the fair by the team at Checkerspot in South Baltimore. Cleverly named “Year-Round Fairground,” the blonde ale was brewed with local honey and honey malt from Bear Branch Malt in Westminster.

Other Local Eats

Bacon Cheddar Roll: From local pie chain Vocelli Pizza comes this handheld creation that stuffs pizza dough with bacon, cheddar, and mozzarella, brushes it with garlic sauce, and serves it with a requisite cup of marinara for dipping.

Crabzilla Fries: Regional food truck Shugar Shack Soulfood will be serving up crispy fries topped with lump crab meat, garlic truffle butter, crab drizzle, Parmesan, crispy crab cake crumble, and Old Bay. Talk about Maryland flavors. (While you’re there, check out Shugar Shack’s Banana Puddin’ Churro Nachos, too.)

Stuffed Smoked Turkey Drum: Swing by the Turkey Booth to sample a slow-smoked drumstick stuffed with dirty rice and andouille turkey sausage, and finished with remoulade and green onions. (Dabkowski also recommends the stand’s turkey-and-waffles plate, which he says has become a favorite in recent years.)

Pork Belly Stacker: At the Pork Booth, satisfy savory cravings with a cornbread base stacked with crispy pork belly, creamed corn, and rich bourbon bacon jam.

Know Before You Go: Some of the aformentioned eats have been named finalists in various categories of the fair’s annual Mallet Food Competition, which will be judged live on Aug. 30 at 10 a.m.