Organization-led food booths lead Johnson County Fair

IOWA CITY - Yes, there are typical fair food vendors near the carnival rides at the Johnson County Fair. But, organization-led booths offer a wide variety of good eats, too.

The Regina food booth, headed by the Regina Catholic Education Center students, parents and alumni, offers everything from breakfast to dinner and desserts.

According to Cindy Lavely, Regina's director of special events and fundraising, the booth has been at the fair for more than 30 years.

Although hamburgers, maid-rites and hot dogs are certainly popular, the daily dinners are a crowd favorite. Monday's dinner featured chicken and noodles, peas, coleslaw and a slice of bread. Tuesday's dinner is pork, mashed potatoes, green beans and coleslaw; Wednesday is roast beef, mashed potatoes, corn and coleslaw and Thursday is again chicken and noodles. For $8, dinners include lemonade or iced tea.

More than 300 pies were made by 15 women one recent Sunday afternoon for the fair booth. Along with staples apple, peach and cherry, new this year is oatmeal pecan pie.

"You can't come in here and leave with an empty stomach," Lavely said.

Everyone at the booth is a volunteer and does various tasks, including taking orders, serving, bussing tables and working in the kitchen.

In Building C, the Johnson County Pork Producers also keep busy serving pulled pork sandwiches, pork burgers, brats and sweet corn. The sandwiches are $2.50 to $3.50 and sweet corn is $1.

The Johnson County Fair continues through Thursday at 4261 Oak Crest Hill Rd. SE, Iowa City. This is just off Highway 218 exit 89.