Update (Sept. 29): Due to demand last weekend, the Arizona State Fair had added an additional weekend to its drive-thru event, and slightly extended its weekend hours. The drive-thru event will now be open Thursday - Sunday, Oct. 1-4, and Oct. 8-11. It will open at noon on Thursday and Fridays, and at 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Original article:
Despite the Arizona State Fair being canceled this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing, people still have an opportunity to experience some of the deep-fried and sweet treats typically found at the fair.
As of 12:30 pm, Saturday 9/26/20, we are at car capacity. We will open up the gates again once as soon as we can. Keep a lookout here or on our Facebook and Instagram stories for updates.
— Arizona State Fair (@azstatefair) September 26, 2020
For two weekends, Sept. 25-27 and Oct. 1-4, the Arizona State Fairgrounds is hosting a drive-thru food fair, where some of the fair's most popular food vendors will set up their booths to make and sell different items, such as corn dogs, cotton candy, kettle corn, cookies, pizza, and deep-fried Oreos and Twinkies (at typical festival prices).
"We wanted to figure out how to bring a smile to people’s faces, but do it safely and with COVID protocols in place," said Wanell Costello, executive director of the Arizona State Fair, in a statement.
The booths will be open from noon to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, according to the state fair's website.
Vehicles will enter the fairgrounds at 19th Avenue and Monte Vista.
We're told that vendors will be located in different lanes at the fairgrounds and vehicles will be able to pull up to each booth that they're interested in visiting and order.
"To provide guests with the best experience possible, while keeping health and safety top of mind, all Fair Food Drive-Thru items are intended to be enjoyed in your car or home. All service will be drive-up only and foodies are asked to stay in their vehicles to maintain social distancing," the website reads.
Vendors were still being finalized, a spokesperson said, but as of now, these vendors were planning on participating. A map and a list of confirmed vendors would be posted soon online, www.azstatefair.com/drivethrufairfood.
- Dutchmen's Funnel Cakes (powdered sugar funnel cake, Oreo funnel cake, churro, lemonade; $4-$14)
- Enzo's Pizzeria (pepperoni pizza slice, cheese pizza slice, whole pizzas, wings, cannolis; $4-$30)
- Fried A Fair (deep-fried Oreo, cookie dough, Snickers, Twinkie, cheesecake, Nutella; $6-$8)
- Kettle Corn (caramel, rainbow, regular, $8-$12)
- Mustard's Café (Jumbo corn dog, loaded fries, loaded nachos, bacon-wrapped corn dog; $5-$9)
- Sweet Dreams (cotton candy bucket, caramel and candy apples, shaved ice, slushies; $5-$10)
- Totally Baked Cookie Joint (bucket of cookies, Big Skillet, ice cream sandwich, Lil Dippers, frozen lemonade; $5-$20)
- Teepee Village Frybread (Indian Taco, bean and cheese, bean, chili, and cheese, sugar and honey; $8-$13)
- The Ranch (BBQ tri-tip sandwich, smoked turkey leg, pork chop on a stick, fries)
