Missing Krusty Pups and Fisher Scones? Fair Food To Go starts July 3
In addition to drive-in concerts, the Washington State Fair will open for drive-thru food over three July weekends.
As the coronavirus canceled the spring fair and other events at the Puyallup fairgrounds, the venue sought alternative ways to connect with Washingtonians missing their annual trips to dig into a giant turkey leg or indulge in a Fisher scone.
Starting Fourth of July weekend, eight vendors will set up shop from 4-7 p.m. Friday night and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Customers are invited to drive up in their cars to order some of their favorite eats, including Krusty Pups, Duris elephant ears, Earthquake burgers and Murph’s roasted corn.
“Since all of this started, we’ve been trying to find creative ways to involve people,” said public relations manager Stacy Van Horne.
Fairs across the country have offered similar drive-thru concessions “to great response,” she said, “so we thought — why not?”
Other recent initiatives have brought drive-in concerts and online agricultural programming for kids.
The drive-thru will start at the 5th Street Gate on the southwest side of the fairgrounds, near the Agriplex Building off 15th Avenue. The route will take guests in their vehicles north to Arena Avenue and Midway Boulevard, then east around the Gold Gate and back west along Grand Avenue.
The route starts with beverages, followed by the Sales Family, Murph’s and Impact Concessions. Around the bend will be Earthquake Burgers, Fisher Scones, Duris and finally Brank’s BBQ.
“This is just a glimpse obviously of the many, many vendors we have,” said Van Horne, adding that fair officials wanted to focus on guest favorites.
Guests are asked to remain in their vehicles: Vendors will deliver orders to you, just like at a regular drive-thru.
Given the response to the fair’s Facebook event, there could be a line: more than 700 people have said they will attend one of the three weekends, and the original June 19 post announcing the drive-thru has been shared more than 1,700 times.
“It’ll be fun; it’ll be socially distant,” said Van Horne. “The lanes are wide enough so if people don’t want the same thing as the person in front of them, they can go around.”
Washington State Fair Food To Go
▪ Where: Start at 5th Street Gate, near Agriplex Building and 15th Ave. SW
▪ When: July 3-5, July 10-12 and July 17-19; Friday, 4-7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
▪ Details: Staff and vendors will follow Department of Health guidelines and COVID-19 sanitation procedures. Portable restrooms will be available, but they should be considered only out of necessity. Guests must wear a mask when ordering food and when in public per the state health department. Hand sanitizer and washing stations will be set up. Service animals only, and smoking permitted only in personal vehicles.
This story was originally published June 26, 2020 at 10:00 AM.