In terms of food options, Addison County Fair and Field Days is a moveable feast.
Each year, fairgoers flock to the trailers and tents that dot the New Haven fairgrounds to get their annual dose of caramel apples and cotton candy.
Many different roads have brought the vendors to the fair. John Meigs, who is happy to be known as “the cotton candy guy,” was born into it. Colored in iconic pastel pink and green and heavily laden with sugary treats, his trailer is a classic landmark at Field Days, located across from Rainbow Ice.
His father began working as a vendor in 1938, Meigs said. His dad in 1968 bought the trailer that Meigs still uses.
On Tuesday, Meigs was keeping shop with his mother-in-law, Dot Knight of Lisbon, N.Y. Meigs estimated that he spends about eight months of the year on the road with his trailer working at fairs up and down the East coast.
He has been working at Field Days since it has been at this location, almost five decades ago, Meigs reported.
The fair has “grown tremendously,” he said, adding that the best part of his job is “traveling and seeing all the kids grow up year to year. It’s wonderful.”
A few exhibits away from Meigs Cotton Candy, the Skinny Pancake has a tent.
The Burlington-based eatery, which specializes in crepes, is a somewhat newer addition at the fairgrounds. Field Days is actually one of the smaller of the Vermont fairs and festivals they work, said manager Hayes Dunlap of Burlington.
“We’re pretty unique,” said employee Milo Golub of Burlington. “We serve local, wholesome food.”
Regardless of fare, fair vendors are in consensus about the experience.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Golub said.
— Mary Langworthy