If you haven’t heard, it’s a hot one.
Temperatures have soared into the high 80s and low 90s this week at the Bartholomew County Fairgrounds with no relief in sight. Nevertheless, fairgoers from across Bartholomew County aren’t letting the scorching sun divert them from one of the best aspects of a county fair — indulging in some of the best unhealthy treats ever concocted.
However, with the ongoing heat, fairgoers have made ice-cold lemon shakeups and homemade vanilla ice cream the go-to favorites this year.
Outside the Bartholomew County Young Farmers barn, patrons line up with dollar bills in hand for a bowl of the nonprofit organization’s famous homemade ice cream.
Austin McKinney, president of Bartholomew County Young Farmers, said the organization brings in around $10,000 to $15,000 from its ice cream sales each year depending on the weather.
“Kids Day and the Demo Derby, we get a lot of people on those days,” McKinney said.
All the ice cream is prepped and churned right on site. Each batch takes about 30 to 40 minutes to make — three gallons at a time.
McKinney said they prepare about 20 batches, equivalent to 120 gallons every day. One three-gallon bucket makes about 43 small bowls.
Ice cream isn’t the only thing local vendors are serving up.
Emma Crim and Hannah Jackson split a lemon shakeup while Crim enjoyed fried cheese curds and Jackson treated herself to a hand-dipped corn dog on Wednesday at the fairgrounds.
For just one week a year, Michelle LaMantia said she can splurge on as many funnel cakes as she wants.
“It’s sweet and just yummy,” LaMantia said of her deep-fried funnel cake doused in powdered sugar. “This is all mine.”
For more on this story, see Friday’s Republic.
