150 years of food and fun at the fair

By Ashley Dale Henslee and Caroline Logan Cherry 

Once a year, flashing lights and ferris wheels transform an empty parking lot into a vibrant celebration of everything South Carolina has to offer.

The South Carolina State Fair is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year and visitors from across the state are flocking to Columbia to take in the iconic fairground atmosphere.

While many visitors come seeking a burst of adrenaline on a fast-paced ride or a giant stuffed animal prize from a game-of-chance booth, many more come for a taste of the unusual cuisine that can only be found at the fair.

Reporters Logan Cherry and Ashley Dale Henslee spent a day among the festivities to determine if some of the most classic fair foods hold up against the unique new offerings added in celebration of the fair’s milestone anniversary.

Watch the video to learn what fair foods can’t be missed.