With county fairs across New York State, cancelled for the 2020 season, you might be wondering how you’re going to get your fried Oreo fix? Sure, you can get a burger, hot dogs and some other fair classics at one of your favorite local eateries, but it’s just somehow not the same as visiting vendors at the fair. The Orange County Fair Drive-Thru Fair Food Festival is the socially distanced answer to any fair foodie’s prayers! The event scheduled to take place on Sept. 24-27 and Oct. 1-4 at the Orange County fairgrounds, in Middletown NY, will feature a “Drive-Thru” style format where fairgoers enter the grounds in their vehicle, drive up to designated “stops” or areas with certain types of fair foods and receive window service like a classic drive-in diner!
Funnel Cakes, Fried Twinkies, Sausage & Peppers, Philly Cheese Steak, Gyros, Candy Apples, of course the classic Popcorn and so much more will be featured in this event that brings together 10 or more vendors. If it’s a fair food classic, it will be there!
The new “Drive-Thru” format will allow for patrons to choose which areas they would like to dine in, each focusing on a certain genre of fair food. Drivers will be provided with a map and a menu and taken on a set route through the grounds and are free to pass by any food stops that do not interest them. The event, which is FREE to attend, is unfortunately for vehicles only and cannot accommodate walk-up customers due to the socially distanced nature of it. Thursdays and Fridays, gates will open 4-9PM and on weekends the event will be open from 11:30AM to 9PM.
The promoters of the event, Orange Motorsports and Entertainment (OME) have even decided to open the “Drive-In” viewing section of the fairgrounds’ 5/8-mile speedway for fairgoers to be able to park and enjoy their meals. Considering space in the Drive-In is limited, spots will need to be reserved (for a reasonable fee). Anyone planning to attend can reserve a spot ahead of time on the Orange County Fair Website, or OME Website.
Foodies can also check out the OME Events, or Orange County Fair Websites to get a look at food menus and a map of the “Drive-Thru” route before event gates open. Start fasting now Hudson Valley, YOU’RE FAIR FAVORITES ARE BACK!
