Hi, my name is Susan, and I am a "festigal." That's my term for a female addicted to craft shows and festivals.
Fall has long been my favorite season because of the dazzle of our surrounding mountains splashed in vibrant colors. It also means 12 consecutive weekends of festival fun.
I love the homespun charm of these events. It's the crunch of dried leaves under my feet, the toe-tapping beat of bluegrass music and cloggers stomping onstage, the natural beauty of their rural settings (especially those with a mill/millstream nearby) and the aromas of kettle corn and hamburgers grilling wafting across the grounds.
Two descriptions come to mind when I think festival food: "deep-fried" and "on a stick." That's how my favorites -- funnel cake and caramel apple -- are served up.
My youngest son believes a trip to Ketner's Mill just isn't complete without a funnel cake. Of course, he's tall and slender (must have been recessive genes kicking in), and he can down one of those deep-fried doughy delights and never worry about a lips-to-hips result.
I used to be right there in the funnel-cake line with him. I'd convince myself: "What can it hurt? Look at all the walking I'll be doing around the grounds."
It was a pretty convincing argument until I discovered a study by the University of Nebraska about how many steps it takes to walk off festival food indulgences.
I'm sharing that information with you today 1) to help you choose wisely and 2) because misery loves company.
Seriously, it's easy enough to bring along a pedometer, hook it on your waistband and log steps when you're out roaming fairgrounds.
If a fried Snickers on a stick is a once-a-season treat for you, then who could begrudge that? But if you're grazing in the food aisle every festival weekend, perhaps you should join me in keeping tabs on food intake vs. calorie-burning output with a pedometer.
Keep in mind that one mile is roughly 2,000 steps when using the following guide.
WALKING OFF FESTIVAL FOODS
- Caramel apple: 3 miles.
- Corn dog: 4.5 miles.
- Cotton candy: 1.5 miles.
- Fried candy bar on a stick: 4.5 miles.
- Funnel cake (6-inch diameter): 3 miles.
- 32-ounce soft drink: 2.5 miles.
- Snow cone: 2.5 miles.
- Soft pretzel: 3 miles.