The coronavirus pandemic forced the world to change the way people live and operate. Cherished events in our community have had to be canceled, altered, or postponed. One thing in the community that was forced to change due to COVID-19 was the Kern County Fair.

The Kern County fair has been one of the most popular annual events that people look forward to in the community. The 2020 fair was canceled because of the pandemic, but the community would still be able to enjoy one of the best parts of the fair, some classic fair food, with the Fair Food drive-thru.

There have now been two Fair Food drive-thrus, the first during the normal time of the fair and the second was just this past weekend. The event began at 11 a.m. and ended at 8 p.m. The event took place on 1142 South P St. at the fairgrounds.

​“The Kern County Fair and Event Center [worked with] Philip Delahoyde from Extreme Food and Beverage” to put on the event, according to the Facility Marketing Representative, Chelsey Roberts. Furthermore, she explained that Philip decided to start doing these drive-thrus throughout California when the normal fair season was canceled because concessionaires could no longer move fair to fair and the fairs were their main source of income.

The drive-thru system ran smooth and efficiently. Everyone who was working was very polite and helpful. They each had masks on and were properly distanced, keeping each other and the customers safe. They created an environment that was comfortable and enjoyable. The line around 6 p.m. on Saturday was fairly short, and the wait was only about 20 minutes depending on the size of the order. Customers would begin by receiving a menu, then they would wait in the line until they arrived at the ordering area. When customers order, the cashier puts the receipt on their windshield. Next, they drive up where the food trucks are and they hand off your order. Finally, customers could take their food home with them or park in the parking lot and enjoy.

The menu offered a large variety of fair foods and beverages. There were a total of thirty-five items on the menu to choose from. The vendors at the event were Noel’s Foods, Rocket Dog, Dynamite Kettle Corn, Sharky’s Fish Fry, The Sleek Greek, Old West Cinnamon Rolls, Sweet Cheeks, and Big Bubba’s Bad BBQ. The items on the prices on the menu ranged from $4 to $35, with most items being around $10.

Although many people are missing the fair and other events that make them feel normal, it is nice that people can still find ways to enjoy things in the community.