Indiana Author Rita Kohn's play, "Rich Lives" Highlight of Indiana State Fair's Pioneer Village

"Rich Lives," a play by Indiana's well known author, (True Brew) playwright and columnist, (Beer Buzz-NUVO) Rita Kohn, will be one of the highlights at the Indiana State Fair 2013.

The play is based on "Voices of American Homemakers: An Oral History Project of the National Homemakers Council," and includes oral histories of early to Mid-20th Century homemakers. Collected and edited by Eleanor Arnold, Kohn brought the stories and women to the stage, with the performances honoring the 50th anniversary of Pioneer Village, an annual staple of the fair.

The cast includes: Sandra K. Dosterglick, Susan Harless, Myra L. Dworski, Janet Tyner, Sandra J. Barton, Jeannette Simpson Edwards and Fran Wampler Lucas.

Performances at Indiana State Fair/Pioneer Village

Aug. 11 at noon

Aug. 13 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m

Aug. 14 at 10 a.m. and noon.

Price: Free with State Fair admission. 

www.in.gov/statefair

Image: Andy KlotzElizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel columnist, freelance writer and photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Read Infused, her spirits, wine & beer lifestyle column, at www.GottaGo.us and www.FoodDigital.com and catch her as Indy’s Fine-living Adviser on Indy Style television program at WISH Ch. 8 (CBS affiliate). Gotta Go is published on www.Gottago.us, www.BroadwayWorld.com, and in magazines. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Spaghetti ice cream named Indiana State Fair ‘Signature Food’ 2012

INDIANAPOLIS – Spaghetti Ice Cream, created by Monroe Concessions, has been voted the 2012 ‘Signature Food’ at the Indiana State Fair. Online voters selected this dish after reading the insights from a panel of eight judges who tasted all six entries.

Click to read review of 2011 fair food.

Fair goers can find this winning dessert on Main Street across from the Pepsi Coliseum, the spot given to the contest’s winning concessionaire every year. The dish sells for $5 and consists of spaghetti shaped gelato, Italian ice cream, with strawberry ‘tomato sauce,’ shaved white chocolate ‘cheese’ and chocolate ‘meatballs.’
Bob and Joanie Monroe of Monroe Concessions in Marion, Ind., came up with the concept after learning that this year’s fair is the “Year of Dairy Cows” and will also feature an exhibit on Italy in the International Pavilion. This is the second time the Monroes have won the contest. Their deep-fried chocolate covered strawberries won the inaugural competition in 2006.

Indiana State Fair

Aug. 3 - 19

For tickets, directions and more information, visit IndianaStateFair.com.

To celebrate the 2012 Indiana State Fair's “Year of Dairy Cows” theme, contest rules required vendors to use dairy products in all food creations. The other entries will all be on sale at throughout the State Fair.

Cheese Squared (Coffman Concessions)

Chipotle, creamy spinach or garlic herb cream cheese wrapped in Swiss cheese, then lightly breaded and fried. ($6 for 5 squares)

Moo Chew Meal (American Dairy Association)

A light, refreshing lemon chiller milkshake served with a sourdough grilled cheese sandwich loaded with American and Pepper Jack cheese. ($5)

Micro Beer Cheese Sauce (Barto’s Catering)

Local micro brew-fused beer cheese sauce served on either fresh cut fries, hefty burger or on the side for dipping. ($1/cup)

Caramel Corn Sundae (Baskin Robbins)

Vanilla ice cream with hot caramel topping, caramel corn, fresh whipped cream, nuts and a cherry. ($5.50 for 2 scoops)

Blue Ribbon Cannoli (Bakerman Concessions)

A crisp Italian cookie shell filled with sweet, whipped ricotta cheese, whipping cream, powdered sugar, mini chocolate chips and dried berries, topped with a powdered sugar sprinkle. ($6 for 2)

Cumulus Radio sponsored this year’s competition, which is in its seventh year. WFMS and WJJKon-air personalities directed listeners to the radio stations’ web sites to view a video of the judges’ comments and get an itemized listing of all the entries.

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living columnist, travel writer, performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her newest column, Infused at GottaGo.us and FoodandDrinkDigital.com and as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC. Gotta Go is published onGottago.us, BroadwayWorld.com, in M and Retired Living magazines and several newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Manilow, Shelton and Journey Headline 2012 Indiana State Fair concerts

Barry, Blake, Journey and Train
Headline 2012 Indiana State Fair concerts

Manilow                                                                    Image courtesy of Orlando Sentinel

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana State Fair will hold four concerts at Bankers Life Fieldhouse over the course of its 17-day run Aug. 3 – 19.

Shows include

Barry Manilow – Aug. 3 at 7:30 p.m.

Train – Aug. 4 at 7 p.m.

Journey with Pat Benatar and Loverboy – Aug. 8 at 7 p.m.

Blake Shelton – Aug. 17 at 7 p.m.

Tickets for all these shows include a ticket to the State Fair good on any day of the fair, not just the day of the concert.

Ticket prices for the shows are as follows:

Barry Manilow - $129.99, $89.99, $69.99, $39.99, $19.99 and $9.99
Train - $61, $50 and $40
Journey/Pat Benatar/Loverboy - $90, $70 and $45
Blake Shelton - $75, $55 and $40

Blake Shelton

Tickets: Purchase at the State Fair box office,  Ticketmaster locations, at 1-800-745-3000 or at Ticketmaster.com.

In addition, the state fair will present the Indiana Fever vs. Atlanta Dream game on Aug. 18. Any group that purchases 15 or more tickets to the game will receive the same number of tickets to the fair, also good on any day of the fair. These tickets can be purchased at the State Fair grounds box office, through Ticketmaster or at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

For details, contact the Indiana State Fair grounds Box Office at (317) 927-7601 or visit IndianaStateFair.com.

About Indiana State Fair

The 2012 fair is the “Year of Dairy Cows,” showcasing Indiana Dairy farmers. The Indiana State Fair is the state’s largest multi-day event celebrating Hoosiers’ spirit and agricultural heritage. Nationally recognized for offering great entertainment, showcasing youth, interactive agriculture education programs, premiere facilities and a variety of unique, fun foods, the Indiana State Fair has been an annual tradition for generations of Hoosiers since 1852.

Manilow photo: Courtesy of Orlando Sentinel
Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer, performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her new column, Infused, at FoodandDrinkDigital.com, as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC, and follow her on Twitter @GottaGo and Facebook. Gotta Go is published on BroadwayWorld.com and in M magazine and the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.

Fair Food 2011

Deep-fried Klondike Bar

More than your child’s blue ribbon, winning a goldfish or watching a tractor pull; the most looked forward to item at state, county and local fairs is the food.

Fair food is in a food group all its own and not to be found on the nutritional food pyramid. Metamorphosed from real food, it is junk food on steroids. Noir movie director Tim Burton could not conjure the weird extremes which have been taken with once reasonably edible stuff.
Nothing is too far out, nothing is off limits, and anything healthy can, and will, be turned into the sinful delights we dream about the rest of the year.

So what’s out there for the official Indiana State Fair Food 2011?

Ice Cream Burger

Fair food royalty, and Indiana-based, Dennis and Cheryl Reas are part of the family owned Carousel Foods. The king and queen of the gastro lab are keeping loyal subjects satisfied with this year’s menu of burgers, including fair attendees' favorite the Donut Burger, the French Toast Burger and the Ice Cream Burger.
Not a typo, folks, this burger comes with its side of milkshake on top. Lift up the bun (if you dare) and you’ll see a chunk of deep-fried, cinnamon-coated frozen dairy product.

Deep-fried Kool-Aid

Keeping pace with the outrageous offerings of last year’s deep-fried butter, the southern Indiana family continue to push the gastro limits with Deep-fried Kool-Aid. Somewhat like a doughnut hole, it is made from a thick batter heavy on the cherry-flavored Kool-Aid powder drink mix. Dropped in fair food-required hot oil, it’s presented sprinkled with powder sugar.

Orangeade Shakeup

Orangeade Shakeups return and are guaranteed to replicate exactly the flavor of the favorite drink from Indy's Tee-Pee restaurant which once sat in front of the state fairgrounds.

Other items in Carousel's arsenal include Deep-fried Brownies, small, molten deep-fried (of course) chocolate treats and a southern helping of chicken and waffles...fair style.

Eggo Chicken

The Eggo Chicken makes its debut on the menu with a deep-fried chicken breast nestled between two Eggo brand waffles. First dipped in an egg wash, the waffles are breaded with crushed Cap'n Crunch cereal and served hot off the grill.
Carousel concession stands are located west of the Pavilion.

Other gastro goodies to ingest on the fair circuit this year are deep-fried, beer-filled pretzels, deep-fried spaghetti and meatballs and for dessert? Deep-fried Tiramisu on a stick…chocolate coated.

*Special note-The food fair crew lost a member recently. Cheryl Reas' father Larry Orme, of Carousel Foods, passed away in March of this year while doing what he loved: running food concessions. His wife Olivia will continue working with the family business.

For more information, events, schedule and tickets for the Indiana State Fair, visit IndianaStateFair.com.


Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer, performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her as Indy’s Arts & Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC, and follow her on Twitter @ejmusgrave1 and Facebook. Gotta Go is published in the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.

A Day at the Indiana State Fair including Jeff Dunham

A day at the Indiana State Fair, for some, is an annual event. I had not been in about 20 years. I know; I was long overdue. Being asked to judge the Backyard BBQ Cook-off, sponsored by Shoup's, and review Jeff Dunham's performance for the same day seemed like a higher power giving a little push.

So I went.

Alongside of me, judging four hours worth of pork hog burgers, ribs and loin, shrimp and vegetables were Reid Duffy (Duffy's Diner) and Chef Thomas England, who is also a sommelier. I was in good company.

After eating for four straight hours, there was only one thing I wanted to do...that's right, hit the strip for fair food. Hey, it'd been awhile. First, I got a couple of old standbys, the elephant ear and the pineapple whip ice cream, and then headed over for deep-fried butter.

Yes, it really was butter; frozen, dipped in funnel cake batter, dropped in hot oil and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. It tasted exactly like french toast without syrup.

Amelia Rettig, a third-grader at New Britton Elementary, dug in and enjoyed it, also. (see left photo)

Taking to the grandstand stage was Jeff Dunham, master ventriloquist and comedian. With millions of Youtube hits, DVD sales and sell-out performances around the world, Dunham continues to delight audiences with his "friends," Walter, Peanut, Jose Jalepeno, Bubba and Achmed.

Achmed, the terrifying terrorist, has scored the most popular spot with fans, usurping grump Walter for the title.

Guitar Guy provided opening entertainment for Dunham and company, and re-appeared to help during the show.

Walter garnered the most laughs when a live train happened along, right in the middle of his routine. Twice.

I am a fan of Dunham but was more than a little surprised when the characters dotted the performance heavily with sexual innuendos and outright vulgarities. Keep that in mind if you are considering taking the kids.

Overall, the day was great with memories of my childhood days of 4-H projects due to the fair, junk food and the midway.

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer and theater critic. Catch her as Indy’s Arts & Entertainment Adviser on 93.1 WIBC and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and at gottago.us. Comments can be sent to elizabeth@gottago.us.

Gotta Go is published in the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, West Side Community News, New Palestine Reporter, West Indianapolis Community News, Pendleton Times Reporter, Fortville-McCordsville Reporter, and Indiana Weekender

Photo credits:
Mark Lee www.GreatExposures.net
PLR photography

Fair Food 2009

It’s that marvelous, wonderful time of the year again – state and county fair time. The 4-H projects are turned in for judging, ribbons are distributed and displayed, rides are bolted together and, best of all, concession booths start selling fair food.

Fair Food Time!

Fair food is in a food group all its own and probably not on the nutritional food pyramid. Much of it started as real food, and then metamorphosed into junk food on steroids. Noir movie director Tim Burton couldn’t come up with the weird extremes which have been taken with once reasonably edible stuff. Nothing is too
far out, nothing is off limits, and anything healthy can, and will, be turned into the sinful delights we dream
about the rest of the year.

So what’s out there? The common pineapple whip ice cream, corn dogs and walking tacos have been upstaged by the truly weird. First, the Snickers candy bar was deep fried, then Oreos, then Twinkies...

OK, here’s the list of food gone crazy at the fairs which I have heard about, seen in person or actually eaten.
First, the kabob items, because at fairs, if the food item isn’t drowned in a vat of hot oil, it’s skewered, right?

Salad on a stick

Salad on a stick – someone figured out how to put lettuce on a skewer. Healthier, true, but where do the croutons fit into this picture? Pineapple spears, Carmellows, caramel-covered marshmallows, and cheesecake
wedges are now on sticks. The newest kabobs to hit the circuit are chocolate-covered peanut butter rounds, chocolate-covered Key Lime pie and frozen s’mores. The last item is, of course, drizzled with chocolate, caramel or other sweet toppings.

Pretzel rods are being dipped in chocolate or caramel, fish are in tacos and mashed-potato martinis are hitting the midway this year.

What’s being batter-dipped and deep-fried? Frog legs, banana pudding wraps and Pop Tarts. Hot dogs are now being wrapped in a zucchini skin, deep fried and called, what else, zucchini weenie. Say that three
times fast.

Deep-fried chocolate-covered strawberry

Chocolate-covered bacon is also deep fried now, as are Jelly Belly jelly beans, Spam, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cheese-filled sausages, Tootsie Rolls, alligator meat, Pepsi, Coke and, drum roll please, White Castle hamburgers. Yep, the little square guys are battered and oiled up for a fast-track heart attack.

The healthier fare being given the royal-oil treatment are strawberries, pineapple and bananas. Avocados, carrots and green beans have not entered the concession zone, as far as I know. However, there’s always next year.

If you have a favorite fair food, share it with me by emailing a note to elizabeth@gottago.us. Me, I will be right here, figuring out how to deep fry cotton candy.

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer and theater critic. Catch her as Indy’s Arts & Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and at gottago.us. Comments can be sent to elizabeth@gottago.us.