The Secrets Behind the Arkansas State Fair
By: Marci Manley, KARK 4 News
Updated: October 15, 2011
Everyone knows the state fair offers rides, games, and fried food. But one of perhaps the most fattening, yet delicious of those fried foods is the fried Oreo.
KARK got an inside look at how these sinfully sweet desserts are made. Take your average oreo, then dip it into funnel cake batter (sweetened with vanilla and almond extract - the secret ingredients). Throw those babies into some sizzling oil and fry them to a golden brown on both sides.
"It's a warm, fudgy cookie," said Funnel Cake Factory cook Michelle Jelbert. "I have at least one a day."
For most fair-goers, they initially try the tasty treat because of the novelty. But once they have one bite, they are hooked.
"When they first order it, they want to try it because it's something they haven't seen before, but then they get addicted and they know exactly what they want when they come up to the window," Jelbert said.
But let's not forget the carnival games. We all know the myth. These games cannot be won, they are designed for you to lose. But according to those who work the booths, some are actually aimed at letting everyone win.
"There are games that by design are games of chance and games of skill," said D&F Concessions booth manager Wilburn Cain. "This game is neither."
He stood in front of a hoop about three feet off of the ground. It's a game geared toward kids, who love to win the fluffy toys.
"This is a game simply built for the kids to win. I let them get as close as they need, so they never lose. I haven't had a loser here since the game opened," Cain said.
But there are games for the more skilled players, and games built for adults are intentionally made more difficult to win. But every carnival game actually has to be certified as a winnable game. Meaning even though the balls may be round or the hoops aren't as wide as a standard goal, the game can be and has been won to be offered on the fairgrounds.
KARK got an inside look at how these sinfully sweet desserts are made. Take your average oreo, then dip it into funnel cake batter (sweetened with vanilla and almond extract - the secret ingredients). Throw those babies into some sizzling oil and fry them to a golden brown on both sides.
"It's a warm, fudgy cookie," said Funnel Cake Factory cook Michelle Jelbert. "I have at least one a day."
For most fair-goers, they initially try the tasty treat because of the novelty. But once they have one bite, they are hooked.
"When they first order it, they want to try it because it's something they haven't seen before, but then they get addicted and they know exactly what they want when they come up to the window," Jelbert said.
But let's not forget the carnival games. We all know the myth. These games cannot be won, they are designed for you to lose. But according to those who work the booths, some are actually aimed at letting everyone win.
"There are games that by design are games of chance and games of skill," said D&F Concessions booth manager Wilburn Cain. "This game is neither."
He stood in front of a hoop about three feet off of the ground. It's a game geared toward kids, who love to win the fluffy toys.
"This is a game simply built for the kids to win. I let them get as close as they need, so they never lose. I haven't had a loser here since the game opened," Cain said.
But there are games for the more skilled players, and games built for adults are intentionally made more difficult to win. But every carnival game actually has to be certified as a winnable game. Meaning even though the balls may be round or the hoops aren't as wide as a standard goal, the game can be and has been won to be offered on the fairgrounds.
