Gluten-Free Fare at the Fair & Amusement Parks

Ahhhh, summer time. Festivals, state fairs and amusement parks packed full of families enjoying their summer break. Riding roller coasters while screaming and laughing, spinning nauseously on the tea cup ride and playing the ring toss game, over and over, to win that creepy looking stuffed animal. And last but not least, the AWESOME FOOD!

Being prepared is SO IMPORTANT.  How can you be prepared when going to a fair or amusement park? Well, before I get to our "Just in Case" GF Stash bag, check out the list below of some of the gluten-free options that ARE AVAILABLE.  Don't go into the situation negatively. I think you'll be surprised to see that your family can have quite a few options.

GLUTEN-FREE FAIR OPTIONS: (Please use discretion - check out the vendor, be very cautious with cross contamination and ASK QUESTIONS about ingredients before purchasing any items below)

• Sno Cones                              
• Roasted Corn on the Cob 
• Popcorn         
• Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt  
• Pulled Pork and Hamburgers w/out Bun  
• BBQ Chicken (ask about BBQ sauce)   
• Strawberries, Watermelon, Blueberries
• Kettle Corn
• Cotton Candy
• Dippin' Dots (chocolate or vanilla)
• Frozen Lemonade
• Loaded Baked Potatoes
• French Fries (ask if fries are fried in their own fryer and have coating)
• Strawberry Shortcake w/out Shortcake, just vanilla ice cream

See, there's quite a few options!! Not bad, not bad. NOW, to be on the safe side, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND bringing some gluten-free goodies along "just in case". Having a little stash that you can bring along eases the anxiety/stress of that possibly not being anything your child can have.


GF Stash Bag:

• Favorite GF cookies/treat
• Favorite Chips
• Starbursts, Dum Dum suckers
• Apples, Pears or Bananas 
• Bottled Water

Pack something that you know your child will love. I throw fruit in the bag because it's easy and somewhat healthy as I know we will be eating junk food most of the day, which is totally fine with me, but Jack loves pears and apples so it works for us.

Just remember:

• Bring your own "Just in Case" GF stash bag
• Do some research before going to the Amusement Park, you just might be surprised to see that they offer gluten-free options on their menu.
• Don't hesitate asking questions about ingredients and/or preparation of fair food
• And lastly, RULE OF THUMB: IF IT'S QUESTIONABLE, DON'T EAT IT!

Oh, and one last thing, the most important thing, HAVE FUN! Don't let funnel cakes and elephants ears keep you and your family from going to the State Fair or Amusement Park.