By Sherry Larson
People’s Defender
There are many great things about going to the County Fair, but for loads of fairgoers, the food is a much-anticipated consumption. From deep-fried deliciousness to pizza, barbeque, and iced cold lemonade, fair food is the epitome of comfort eating.
Each year faithful concession vendors join the Adams County Fair. Doug Gunter of the Senior Fair Board introduced the Defender to longstanding Fair concession owners, the Rader family. The Raders have been gracious supporters of the Fair parade and one of the contributors who helped make the Life Beginnings Grant available to this year’s Fair royalty.
Jessica Rader explained that the concessions are family-owned. Her father-in-law, Steve, started with his food trailers at none other than the Adams County Fair in 1980. Jessica said the business “Exploded in the 90s with a lot of food trailers.” Through the years, they reduced the number of trailers, and Steve now sticks to mainly french fries. Jessica and her husband have purchased many of his trailers, including the pizza, shaved ice and lemonade at the Fair this year.
Here’s a little history of the family business formed after Steve left Pepsi Company. Jessica said, “He started with a little french fry trailer, which looked like a Smokey the Bear shack.” That trailer is now 40 years old. Today the trailers are attention-getters with lights and signs that can be seen from a distance.
Jessica said, “It’s a lot of work. We’re usually about two weeks on and maybe a week off.” The second week of September through October is their hectic time.
The Raders are asked to be Adams Fair parade supporters every year and proudly display their participation ribbons. They were asked to present the $500 awards to the Queen and King this year.
“This is a good fair,” said Jessica. “People love the Adams County Fair.”
This fair is where she first met her husband when she was 16. She said, “Adams County was the start of a love story.” Fair food and love sound like a great match.