The official sign that the Wisconsin State Fair is approaching is the annual reveal of The Sporkies and Drinkies Finalists. Wisconsin State Fair officials are pleased to share a stellar list of the 2024 Sporkies
and Drinkies Finalists.
Eight Sporkies finalists have been selected from 37 mouth-watering entries and four Drinkies finalists have been selected from 20 thirst-quenching entries. On Tuesday, July 31, a panel of local celebrity judges will choose who wins the coveted Golden Spork and Cup awards. Judges evaluate these ingenious dishes and drinks based on appearance, presentation, creativity, originality, and, of course, taste.
The Drinkies Finalists:
Fairway Fusion – Old Fashioned Sipper Club
The Fairway Fusion takes a refreshing twist on a summer classic – the Arnold Palmer.
This sipper is equal parts sweet tea and lemonade with a mix of pineapple and key
lime juices, a splash of coconut syrup, and topped with fresh mint leaves and a lime
wedge for garnish.
Glazed Donut Coffee Float – Fluffy’s Hand Cut Donuts
The Glazed Donut Coffee Float features rich glazed donut-infused iced coffee over
creamy vanilla ice cream, topped with a golden glazed donut hole, and delicate
glazed donut crumbles. Every sip is a journey into sweet, caffeinated paradise!
Purple Pickle Lemonade – Tropics
Take a traditional Fair favorite, fresh squeezed lemonade and add a new Fair
favorite, pickles! Sweet and tart, the Purple Pickle Lemonade mixes lemonade, pickle
juice, and baby dill pickles together for a refreshing drink. Plus, adding Butterfly Pea
Flower naturally makes the drink purple for extra fun!
Tropical Sunset – Deep-Fried Mashed Potatoes On-a-Stick
The Tropical Sunset is a sparkly twist on a favorite refreshing drink! This drink
consists of jasmine green tea infused with strawberry, mango, and pineapple juice
with 100% edible, FDA approved glitter. Hold up this refreshing drink to the sun, give it a swirl, and watch the whole State Fair shimmer.
The Sporkies Finalists:
Cool Ranch Doritos Pickle – Deep-Fried Mashed Potatoes On-a-Stick
Bite into the Cool Ranch Doritos Pickle! This large dill pickle is spiral-cut on-a-stick,
rolled into crushed up Cool Ranch Doritos, and deep-fried. Served up with ranch
dressing for dipping and be set for a delicious day!
Deep-Fried Lemonade Bites – Saz’s BBQ
Nothing is better than a refreshing ice-cold lemonade break on a hot summer day.
Take it up a Fair notch with a “sip” of these Deep-Fried Lemonade Bites. Made with
Hawaiian sweet rolls dipped in a French toast batter, a homemade lemonade curd
filling, deep-fried to golden perfection, and tossed in a lemon sugar with a drizzle of
icing.
Dirty Chai Cinnamon Roll Lumpia – Lumpia City
The Dirty Chai Cinnamon Roll Lumpia takes the best part of a cinnamon roll, the
gooey center, adds a little spice, and rolls it up in a crispy lumpia wrapper. Fresh dough, chai-spiced brown sugar butter, and cream cheese espresso frosting make up this unconventional dessert.
Elote Corn Ribs – Tropics
Take the Midwest staple of corn on the cob but add a little spice! The Elote Corn Ribs use corn on the cob as the “bone” of the corn “rib,” tossing it in hickory smoked batter and deep-frying it. Dusted with cotija cheese, these ribs will be served over a bed of crisp kettle chips with a side of homemade Elote dip with a lime wedge on the side.
Elvis Nachos – Slim McGinn’s Irish Pub
Bringing back a blast from the past in the form of this shareable sweet and salty boat full of love. The Elvis Nachos feature homemade peanut butter banana sauce over Slim’s famous deep-fried potato chips and topped with chopped peanuts, chopped banana chips, and crumbled bacon that Fairgoers can’t help falling in love with.
Hot Ham and Glazers – Bud Pavilion
Enjoy this take on the Wisconsin tradition of “Sunday Hot Ham and Rolls” but luckily,
Hot Ham and Glazers is now served every day of the Wisconsin State Fair! Thinly
sliced, savory, smoked hot ham covered with creamy, melted Swiss cheese, and
drizzled with spicy and sweet raspberry jam stuffed between two iconic Kwik TripTM
Glazers donuts. Served warm, it’s a sweet and savory, melt-in-your-mouth
experience!
Loaded Baked Potato Churro – WürstBar
Dig into all the goodness of a loaded baked potato with a crispy, deep-fried outside
layer! The Loaded Baked Potato Churro is stuffed with the classic baked potato
toppings like bacon, chives, and cheddar cheese with housemade sour cream and
onion dipping sauce on the side.
Rise and Swine – Camp Bar
Shatter the myth that dessert can’t be for breakfast with the Rise and Swine! This
warm brioche-based waffle has pearl sugar nestled into the dough, giving it just the
right amount of sweet and caramelization. The waffle is then topped with Camp
Bar’s Classic Vanilla Custard, a drizzle of Wisconsin maple syrup, gooey caramel
sauce, toasted crunch bits, a dusting of powdered sugar, and for a savory twist, two
made-to-order breakfast sausage links.
All the Sporkies and Drinkies items entered will be available for purchase during the 2024 Wisconsin State Fair. A massive 13-foot Spork or Drinkie statue will be displayed at all finalists’ locations. All vendors who entered either competition will display a sticker at their State Fair location(s). See a full list of The Sporkies and Drinkies items here.