State fairs in the US are filled with agricultural exhibits, carnival rides, crafts, concerts, and, of course, food. Oodles and oodles of food, with plenty of items "on a stick" for convenience as you squeeze your way through the crowds. I know people who will map our their state fair excursion to make sure they can enjoy all of their favorite foods and try new ones that look interesting. To that end, the Minnesota State Fair - the second largest in the country behind Texas - just released a list of 33 new foods for fairgoers to try.

Mini funnel cakes from Leite's Culinaria by Taylor Mathis

The new entries showcase the diversity of flavors that can be found in Minnesota, especially in the Twin Cities, which the fantastic food scene has garnered two prestigious James Beard Foundation restaurant awards in two years. The ones I am most eager to sample include the Afro Bean Pops (from Afro Deli, one of my favorite lunch spots); the Fawaffle, which as the name suggests is falafel made in a waffle iron; and the Hot Honey Jalapeno Popper Donuts because, well, donuts. I am on the fence about the Dill Pickle Iced Tea.

This rich tapestry of treats is a far cry from the fair foods of yesteryear, where the offerings were more mundane - corn dogs, cotton candy, funnel cakes, milkshakes. Those are all still plentiful (and still delicious!), but it is great to have more adventurous items and foods that represent all of the people who call Minnesota their home. Long live state fair foods! Which fair foods are your favorites?