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Fair food includes new flavors, old favorites

Jordan Beck | Daily Press From left, Tropic Love worker Aaron Dalton and Zac Rosen, the stand’s manager, prepare smoothies at the U.P. State Fair. Tropic Love, which offers fruit smoothies served in hollowed-out fruit shells, is one of the fair’s newest food vendors.

ESCANABA — Guests of this year’s Upper Peninsula State Fair have had the opportunity to enjoy food from both newly-introduced vendors and those that have become staples of the event.

One of the fair’s newest food vendors is the Dessert Wagon. Owner Melissa Diem said the Dessert Wagon is currently in its first year of business.

“For being a new kid on the block, it’s going great,” she said of business so far. Before coming to the U.P. State Fair, Diem brought the Dessert Wagon to the Marquette County Fair and a few fairs downstate.

Although they offer a wide variety of treats, Diem said one of the most popular items on the Dessert Wagon’s menu is deep-fried cupcakes.

“That’s my signature,” she said.

According to Diem, her business will be featured on an upcoming episode of Cooking Channel show “Carnival Eats.”

“It was a lot of fun,” she said of her involvement with the show. She noted that the episode she will be included in, which will feature footage from the Barry County Fair, should be airing this fall.

People looking for a non-deep-fried treat can stop by fruit smoothie stand Tropic Love, which is also new to the U.P. State Fair this year.

“We do all-natural fruit smoothies. We’re trying to be… a healthy alternative for the fairs and festivals,” Manager Zac Rosen said. These smoothies are served in hollowed-out fruit shells.

According to Rosen, Tropic Love is based out of Toronto, Canada.

“This is our first year in the U.S. — fifth year total,” he said.

Rosen said he is hoping to come back to the U.P. State Fair in the future.

“Escanaba’s beautiful — we like it here,” he said.

While business has been strong for these newcomers to the midway, many fairgoers have also been indulging in old favorites this week — including Norm’s Fries.

“So far, I’d say (it’s) a tad above average,” Eugene Marenger said of business this year. Marenger co-owns Norm’s with his wife Pam.

Marenger said he believes the popularity of Norm’s Fries, which can lead to infamously long lines at peak hours, is due in large part to the history surrounding the business. Norm’s has been operating for about 50 years.

“I think most of it is tradition,” Marenger said.

He also said that the high quality of the fries sold by Norm’s keeps fairgoers coming back each year.

“It’s a good product, and people look forward to it at fair time,” Marenger said.

Business has also been healthy for the Red Barn Food Wagon, which has been at the fair for about 30 years.

“So far, it’s (been) great,” co-owner Darrell DeRouin said. The wagon’s best-known dishes include homemade onion rings, cheese curds, brats, and chicken strips.

DeRouin said that he has been working for food vendors at the fair long before he became involved with the Red Barn.

“I’ve worked out here since I was a teenager,” he said.

The secrets behind the Red Barn’s continued success are simple, DeRouin said.

“Courtesy, good food, and good prices,” he said.

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