By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
When Prudy Brott learned that some local fairs and festivals were being canceled due to the coronavirus, she started cooking up an idea.
“I can’t help out with the rest of the fair experience, but we can do the food,” said Brott, who owns Sunset Bistro in Bowling Green.
So on Monday, May 18, Sunset Bistro will be serving up some deep-fried fair delicacies. The menu includes elephant ears, pork-a-leans, corn dogs, fair fries, cotton candy and an “adult version” of lemonade.
Brott knows that fair food is a seasonal must-have for many.
“People want their fair food,” she said. “When the fair comes around and I can’t get there, I beg for an elephant ear.”
The fixins for the fair food will be from traditional local sources – the pork-a-leans will be purchased from Belleville Brothers Meats, and the elephant ear dough from Pisanello’s Pizza. Brott plans to give a portion of the elephant ear profit to Bowling Green Christian Academy, which operates the local elephant ear stand at the Wood County Fair.
Brott’s announcement on Facebook has already started mouths watering – and have people excited about getting their fair food fix.
“So excited to add to the weight gain from quarantine specials,” one person wrote.
Others are making requests for the next fair food night – with onion rings and funnel cakes topping the list.
If the fair food festival at Sunset Bistro goes well on Monday, Brott said she will consider making it a monthly event. If the Wood County Fair is held this summer, she would not hold a fair food evening in August.
Because of the big demand, no pre-orders will be taken for Monday’s fair food menu. There will be outdoor seating in the back, and pickup in the front. Spaces will be marked for social distancing, and people using the outdoor seating will be asked to bus their own tables – just like at local fairs and festivals.
“It will have that community feel,” Brott said.
Cash or credit cards will be accepted.
“We just ask for patience. It’s our first time trying this,” Brott said.
