At the Kitsap County Fair & Stampede, the first thing most visitors notice isn’t the carnival rides or even the thundering rodeo—it’s that sweet smell of fried fair food.
From the moment you step onto the fairgrounds in Bremerton, the air will be thick with the scent of sizzling burgers, sweet funnel cakes, smoky barbecue, and kettle corn drifting on the late-summer breeze.
This year’s fair, running August 20–24, has assembled a mix of hometown classics and adventurous eats that promise to satisfy both comfort seekers and culinary explorers.
Of course, the fair has its staples—the foods people come back for every summer. Carlson Catering Fry Shop is bringing the classics, with its menu of burgers, Philly cheesesteaks, and elephant ears, while Crazy Eric’s keeps the nostalgia alive with corn dogs and fries.
Funnel of Love, true to its name, serves up piping-hot funnel cakes and elephant ears, dusted in powdered sugar that clings to every smile. And for those who swear no fair is complete without mini donuts, Sugar & Spice delivers them by the bag, along with cheese curds, pretzels, and even pineapple soft-serve.
But there’s also plenty of global flavor making its way to Kitsap this year. At Fast & Fresh Foods, fairgoers can sample Korean corn dogs alongside gyros and chicken fritters, a mash-up of East and West street food culture. Island Lumpia and Pinoy Kitchen add Filipino flair with crispy lumpia and homestyle dishes.
And don’t miss the tacos, tamales, and elotes from Taqueria El Campesino, which round out a menu that could easily rival a weekend food festival in Seattle.
Together, these vendors highlight how the fair isn’t just about celebrating local tradition, but also about showcasing the broader flavors that make up the region’s culinary landscape.
For those chasing something colder, the fair has no shortage of options. Kona Ice and Carlson Catering Snowie are keeping things frosty with shaved ice in a rainbow of flavors, while Bean Water doubles as a pit stop for espresso, hot chocolate, and lemonade. Fridley’s Ice Cream and Viking Feast Ice Cream deliver classic cones and creamy treats, and Creativitin has become a must-stop thanks to its playful—and indulgent—cheesecake on a stick. And if the summer heat really starts to press down, Iced Up is serving Asian-inspired gourmet ice creations that turn dessert into an art form.
And then, of course, there’s the barbecue. Smokin’ Robinson’s arena-side stand pulls in rodeo fans with its St. Louis–style ribs and brisket, a smoky counterpoint to the sweetness of fairground desserts.
For those of age, Western Red Brewery’s beer garden is the perfect place to pause, sip a local pint, and watch the crowd drift by before diving back into the action.
It’s all almost too much to keep track of so we put together this quick cheat sheet to help you navigate all the options this week.
Fair Food Roll Call: What’s on the Menu
Here’s a full lineup of concessionaires and what they’re serving, straight from the official fair food roster:
Classic & Comfort Favorites
- Carlson Catering Fry Shop — Burgers, hot dogs, Philly cheese, cheese sandwiches, chicken strips, fries, elephant ears, lemonade, and water
- Crazy Eric’s — Burgers, corn dogs, fries, soda, and snacks
- Ramblin’ Gourmet — Burgers, corn dogs, fries, coffee, and soda
- Southern Oregon Concessions — Burgers, fries, corn dogs, soda, and water
Signature Sweets & Treats
- Funnel of Love — Funnel cakes, elephant ears, and an assortment of deep‑fried treats
- Creativitin — Cheesecake on a stick
- Sugar & Spice Mini Donuts — Mini donuts, cheese curds, tater tots, pineapple soft‑serve, hand‑dipped corn dogs, pretzels, coffee, lemonade, and water
- Belfair Pop — Kettle corn, cotton candy, assorted treats, and lemonade
- Character Cotton Candy — Fun character-shaped cotton candy and fruit‑kiss drinks
Baked & Savory Bites
- Fisher Fair Scones — Scones
- Big Joe’s Sandwich Shop — Sandwiches, fries, and soda
- Domino’s Pizza — Pizza and soda
Global & Island Flavors
- Fast & Fresh Foods — Korean corn dogs, gyros, chicken fritters, fries, water, and soda
- Island Lumpia — A variety of lumpia flavors
- Pinoy Kitchen — Filipino cuisine
- Kama’aina Grill — Hawaiian fare
- Taqueria el Campesino — Tacos, tortas, tamales, fruit, elotes, and beverages
Cool-Down Stations & Beverages
- Carlson Catering Snowie — Shaved ice and lemonade
- Kona Ice — Shaved ice treats (located at arena side; note: requires an event ticket only if an arena event is in progress)
- G&M Lemon Shake Ups — Lemonade, lotus lemonade, and iced tea
- Iced Up — Asian gourmet ice treats
- Bean Water — Espresso, lemonade, and hot chocolate
- Fridley’s Ice Cream — Flavor‑burst ice cream
- Viking Feast Ice Cream — Ice cream treats
BBQ & Beer Garden
- Smokin’ Robinson — St. Louis‑style BBQ (arena side; ticket required if an arena event is underway)
- Western Red Brewery — A beer garden serving up local brews
