WEST ALLIS — I've never been to any type of state fair, so the Wisconsin State Fair was quite the eye-opening experience for me.
What you will find in this read: bug tacos, pig races, goat shows and cream puffs.
Let's talk Bug Tacos
I'm aware that tacos filled with crickets and silkworms are not common things in Wisconsin. I've been here long enough to figure that out. However, people were flocking to the Exotic Meats stand. I will give it to Exotic Meats, the bug tacos tasted basically like a taco except for an earthy crunch. The stand also featured alligator legs and python soup. I also tried a pineapple-lime-grasshopper popsicle that featured a hefty crunch that might not suit some people. Overall, I was impressed with the variety of obscure food at the fair. A separate thread would be needed to talk about all the BBQ, fried food and other delicious things I saw on my first day.
Cream Puffs
Sticking with food, what's a cream puff and how do I eat it? Both of those questions were answered Thursday. After talking to a few people, I had no idea there were such strong opinions on the proper eating technique. Don't worry, I know now. It was interesting to see so many people eat the same thing in so many different ways. I saw people scoop the filling with a spoon and eat it / spread it. I saw people eat it like a sandwich, and I saw people do the smush, twist, pull and wipe technique. That seems to be the most popular method.
Pig Races
Pig races are awesome to watch. I have never seen anything like that before. It was unique and really fun to see. I wasn't expecting such a large crowd, but all the bleachers were filled and roaring with excitement. There must have been 100 or 200 people watching the pig races. Plus, they were incredibly cute.
Goat Show
I'm from a suburb of San Francisco, so I didn't really know this was a thing. I had heard of cattle shows, but I didn't know what they entailed. It was interesting watching the goats walk around and get judged. I talked to one of the younger competitors, and while he admitted he didn't think he would win a ribbon, he said it's a lot of fun to raise and get so close to one of his animals. Just like the pig races, the goat show was really well attended. If I get a chance to go to the fair while not working, all the animal shows would be something to see again.
