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There are only 49 more days until the kick-off of the Wisconsin State Fair, which takes place July 31- August 10. And the list of State Fair Foods is already heating up thanks to the release of the 2025 Sporkies and Drinkies Finalists.
This year, eight Sporkies finalists have been selected from a pool of 35 entries, with four Drinkies making the cut from 17 entries. That list will be pared down even further on Tuesday, July 29 when a panel of local celebrity judges will choose the winners (based on appearance, presentation, creativity, originality and taste) for the Golden Spork and Golden Cup awards.
All Sporkies and Drinkies items will be available for purchase during the 11 glorious days of the Wisconsin State Fair. A massive 13-foot Spork or Drinkie statue will be displayed at all finalists’ locations. All vendors who entered either competition will display a sticker at their State Fair location(s).
Here are this year’s contenders:
The Drinkies Finalists
Carnival Cooler
Submitted by: Tropics at the Fair
The Carnival Cooler is a bright pink drink that tickles the tastebuds with a mix of watermelon, pickle juice, and lemonade. Add zesty lime, Tajín, and the sweet heat of hot honey to create a bold mix of sweet, salty, tangy, and heat. Finish the drink off with a lime wedge on a carousel pick and fun straw for summer in a cup. Plus, this drink can be made alcoholic for Fairgoers 21+.
Dirty Pancakes
Submitted by: Buzzy Badger
The Dirty Pancakes is a playful take on a dirty soda that tastes like breakfast in a cup! Root beer is mixed with vanilla creamer and maple pancake syrup, brown sugar popping boba, and then topped with whipped cream. Plus, breakfast lovers will rejoice as the straw is lined with mini pancakes for an on-the-go snack.
Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Smoothie
Submitted by: Caribbean Smoothees
The Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Smoothie is a decadent blend of fruity, nutty, and rich dessert flavors in one strikingly beautiful drink. A refreshing strawberry smoothie is layered inside a cup swirled with pistachio butter and chocolate topping, then garnished with shredded Kataifi and extra chocolate drizzle. This Insta-worthy twist on the viral Dubai chocolate trend is a can’t miss treat!
Purple Rain Refresher
Submitted by: Rock and Roll Beer Garden
Inspired by the glam and grit of rock legends, the Purple Rain Refresher is a show-stopping drink that captures the magic of a live show. This mix of Concord grape juice, tart lemonade, and grapefruit soda is topped with edible glitter and pop rocks that shimmer and crackle like the crowd at a headliner set. Plus, this drink changes color with each sip of shimmering blue and silver edible glitter!
The Sporkies Finalists
A Hunk A Hunk Elvis Donut Ice Cream Sandwich
Submitted by: Badger Bites
A sweet and savory donut ice cream sandwich that would make The King proud. Enjoy a Grebe’s Bismark donut stuffed with a heaping scoop of Fat Elvis Ice Cream (banana ice cream swirled with salty peanut butter ripple and rich chocolate chips) and pressed for warm, gooey perfection. It’s topped with chocolate and peanut butter sauce, crispy bacon, and powdered sugar for the ultimate indulgence.
Blueberry Breakfast Bratwurst
Submitted by: Milwaukee Brat House
Blueberry Breakfast Bratwurst is a morning-meets-Wisconsin creation wrapped in fluffy pancake perfection. Usinger’s Blueberry-infused brat is nestled inside a flapjack and pairs perfectly with sweet and smoky house-made bourbon bacon jam. No matter what time of day, this is a breakfast lover’s dream!
Brat Rangoon
Submitted by: WürstBar
Brat Rangoon are a crave-worthy fusion of Wisconsin comfort and Asian street food. This unique German-Asian dish features crisp wonton wrappers filled with bratwurst, cream cheese, green onion, and melted cheese, deep-fried, and drizzle with house-made sweet and sour sauce. Topped with Nori Komi Furikake seasoning, these savory bites pack flavors together in every crispy crunch.
Gochujang Smashburger with Kimchi Bacon Jam
Submitted by: Blue Moon Tavern at the Park
Gochujang Smashburger with Kimchi Bacon Jam is a mouthwatering Korean-inspired burger bursting with heat, umami, and crunch. It features double smash patties layered with melty gouda, tangy gochujang sauce, crunchy cucumbers, and sweet-spicy kimchi bacon jam - all on a toasted brioche bun. Finished with fresh cilantro, it’s an unforgettable fusion of comfort food and global flavor!
Mexican Street Corn Pizza
Submitted by: Charlie's Pizza
Mexican Street Corn Pizza is a flavor fiesta inspired by the beloved flavors of elote. This bold and cheesy pizza features sweet corn, mozzarella, cotija cheese, spicey mayo, and fresh lime on a crispy, golden pizza crust. Topped with a lime, each slice is served hot and ready for tangy, creamy, and savory bites.
Pretzaroni Pizza Brat
Submitted by: Gertrude’s Pretzels
Pretzaroni Pizza Brat is the delicious fusion of a pretzel, a pizza, and a bratwurst. A St. Joe’s Garlic Parmesan brat is wrapped in pretzel dough lined with pepperoni, baked to golden perfection, and finished off with homemade garlic parm topping. Served with a side of marinara, it’s cheesy, meaty, and totally Wisconsin.
S’mores Churro Fries
Submitted by: Saz’s BBQ
S’mores Churro Fries turns your favorite campfire treat into a crispy, shareable dessert. Cinnamon-sugar churro fries are topped with gooey marshmallow creme, rich chocolate sauce, and crushed graham crackers. It’s a sweet, crunchy, and nostalgic treat that everyone will love.
Ube Butter Banana French Toast Lumpia
Submitted by: Lumpia City
Ube Butter Banana French Toast Lumpia puts a twist on a traditional favorite sweet lumpia flavor called Turon. This Filipino-American dessert mashes up deep cultural roots and modern flavor made with caramelized bananas, syrup-soaked French toast, and rich purple ube butter, then deep-fried until golden and dusted with powdered sugar.
See a full list of The Sporkies and Drinkies items here.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
