Step Right Up! Fun County Fair Flavors for Your Candy Aisle

Ahh, late summertime quickly ushers in the fall harvest season, and mid-August to early September is the prime time for county fairs! In the United States, county fairs have been around for over 200 years. The very first one happened in Berkshire County, Massachusetts in 1811, but there is evidence of similar events, even predating biblical times. I’m sure that the ancient Romans probably argued over who won the best goat while snacking on honey-drenched figs.

Though not a uniquely American tradition, the USA has turned the experience of the county fair into one of our most cherished childhood memories. While there is so much to love about your local fair like rides, games, and exhibits from local and regional vendors, we’re willing to bet the most people would say that the food is their favorite part of the fair season!

From cotton candy and corn dogs to candy apples and deep-fried everything, the county fair is the place to go to satisfy all your sweet and savory cravings! The nostalgic flavors of the fair are ones that are cherished by many and even the thought of a caramel apple rolled in chopped nuts can evoke vivid memories of carnival rides, midway games, and livestock competitions.

But why let the magic stop when the fairgrounds close? The truth is, your candy shop can bring that midway magic indoors, every single day of the year! Imagine a candy aisle display brimming with fairgrounds sweets: pillowy cotton candy in rainbow colors, crunchy caramel corn, chocolate-dipped pretzel rods, and even deep-fried Oreos inspired candy bites. You could even tempt adventurous snackers with elote-flavored Corn Nuts, freeze dried fried ice cream bites, or circus candy in whimsical shapes.

The best part? These treats don’t just taste amazing; they also tell a story. They’ll transport your customers back to warm summer nights under the glow of the ferris wheel, the smell of funnel cakes in the air, and the thrill of winning a giant plush toy at the ring toss.

Whether it’s a jar of butter-flavored popcorn jelly beans, or a shelf stacked with apple pie caramels topped with a drizzle of fresh whipped cream, these goodies create an experience that’s about more than just taste, it will help your customers relive a joyful moment from their past.

So today, we thought it would be fun to think about some of the best fair foods and midway snacks, but in candy form! These candies and snacks are inspired by your favorite treats you used to only be able to get once a year at the fair, but now you can stock your candy shop with these unique flavors all year round! Let’s dive in!

Cotton Candy

It’s almost undeniable that cotton candy is perhaps the most iconic of all carnival food options. Like most fair food that’s designed to be eaten while walking around, cotton candy is perfectly simple, easy to share, and the colors really match the twinkling neon lights of the midway.

Chocolate Storybook Classic Pink Cotton Candy

Nothing says “fair time” quite like a big, fluffy cloud of pink cotton candy. Chocolate Storybook’s classic pink is melt-in-your-mouth sweet and spun to perfection, but the fun doesn’t stop there! With over 30 whimsical flavors ranging from frosted donut to Carolina reaper, they’ve turned cotton candy into a year-round adventure!

RL Albert & Sons Mallo Surprise Cotton Candy

A midway twist on a childhood favorite, this cotton candy blends strawberry and blue raspberry swirls with hidden marshmallow bits for a fluffy treat that’s full of sweet surprises. It’s like winning two prizes in one!

A&W Root Beer Float Cotton Candy

Take the frosty, foamy magic of an A&W Root Beer Float and spin it into airy cotton candy. Every bite is like sipping on a classic soda fountain favorite that’s perfect for sharing with the entire family!

Country Time Lemonade Cotton Candy

Fresh-squeezed lemonade stands are as much a fair tradition as corn dogs and funnel cakes. This sweet-and-tangy duo brings Country Time Pink Lemonade and their regular Lemonade together in one bag, capturing that sunny, citrusy refreshment with a melt-in-your-mouth spin.

Caramel Apples

Few fair treats make as big of a visual splash as a perfectly glossy caramel apple. The rich, golden coating (sometimes dusted with crushed peanuts or drizzled with chocolate) adds a whole decadent twist to crisp, tart apples. They’re the perfect mix of wholesome and indulgent, just like the fair itself.

Tootsie Pops Caramel Apple

A fairground favorite reimagined in an individually-wrapped sweet treat! This twist on the classic Tootsie Pop pairs crisp, tangy apple flavor with a creamy caramel coating, and it tastes just like biting into the real thing! Perfect for autumn celebrations or any time you’re craving that nostalgic midway magic.

Goetze Cow Tales Caramel Apple

Since 1918, Goetze has been crafting creamy caramel goodness, and now they’ve given it a fair-inspired upgrade. The beloved Cow Tales stick format gets a crisp green apple twist, wrapped in buttery caramel for a treat that’s easy to enjoy on the go.

Heavenly Caramels Bulk Caramel Apple Twist

Family-owned J. Morgan’s Confections brings you an orchard-fresh take on their rich, buttery Heavenly Caramels. Each bite is a perfect balance of smooth golden caramel and the tart sweetness of a granny smith green apple. This fairground classic has now turned into a year-round bulk candy indulgence!

Bliss Life Freeze Dried Caramel Apple Bites

All the flavor of a caramel-dipped apple, now light, crunchy, and perfectly portable! Bliss Life’s freeze-dried gourmet caramel apple bites deliver sweet, tangy, and airy goodness in every bite. It’s like a crisp autumn day at the fair, but your hands won’t get sticky!

Elote (Mexican Street Corn)

Corn products in general are a staple at many county fairs across the country, but at the truly special ones, you’ll be able to find elote, a Mexican street vendor specialty that features grilled corn on the cob, that is smothered in butter, sour cream, crema, or mayonnaise, rolled in cotija cheese, drizzled with lime juice, and finished off with a spicy seasoning like chili powder, or Tajin.

It’s sweet, savory, tangy, and spicy all at once! This style of corn will have each one of your taste buds doing a little happy dance. It’s the perfect fair food and we’ve got some great products that feature the distinct flavor of elote!

Corn Nuts Mexican Style Street Corn

Get ready for a serious crunch! These Corn Nuts are bursting with bold elote-inspired flavor: zesty lime, a hint of chili, and that unmistakable roasted corn taste, all in a snackable, shareable form.

Melville Mexican Spicy Street Corn Lollipops

Sweet meets savory in this playful fair-themed treat! Each lollipop, shaped like a mini ear of corn, blends tangy lime with a spicy chili kick, creating a flavor explosion that’s as colorful and exciting as a day at the fair.

Churros

These fried cinnamon and sugar delights have been a hit of the carnival food circuit for decades. Though, down here in Texas, we probably got a head start on this phenomenon compared to the rest of the country! Whether dipped in chocolate or enjoyed on their own, churros are the perfect blend of comfort and indulgence, making them a fair food favorite that’s worth enjoying all year long.

Chuao Cheeky Cheeky Churro Chocolate Bar

Experience churro bliss in chocolate form! This candy bar combines rich dark chocolate with cinnamon and crunchy sugar crystals, perfectly capturing the warm, spiced flavor of a fresh churro in every decadent bite.

Breaking Bad - Los Pollos Hermanos Churro Soda

Why just eat a churro when you can drink the entire fairground experience? This craft soda by Rocket Fizz is a genius (some might say criminal) masterpiece, capturing the exact flavor of a warm, sugary churro in a cool, fizzy, drinkable form. It’s a must for Breaking Bad fans and a seriously sweet conversation starter for your soda aisle. It's the perfect way to wash down a funnel cake… without the deep fryer!

While our candy lineup boasts over 6,000 unique products – including fairground favorites like cotton candy, caramel apples and even elote, there are a few items we might have missed! Imagine a gummy corn dog stuffed with caramel, or a candy version of a giant smoked turkey leg… Now those would win the coveted first place blue ribbon at the fair!

Until those confectionary daydreams become reality, Redstone Foods has (just about) everything else you’ll need to bring the flavors of the fair to your store shelves today. From nostalgic candy treats to the latest trends, Redstone Foods is America’s favorite candy distributor, proudly serving retailers nationwide and internationally.

Sign up for an account today or give us a call! We’ll help you (and your customers) taste the magic of the county fair, no admission ticket required!

1-800-444-3520