I love Apple Blossom for the Food Fair. I love the Food Fair not only for the piroshkys, funnel cakes, barbecue sandwiches, corn dogs, noodles and chocolate-covered bananas, but for the people, the dogs (which are no longer allowed there during the festival), the sun (usually), the smells and the smiles on the faces of everyone strolling up and down the sidewalks. It seems like the entire city is there. OK, there are a few people who would rather complain about the congestion at the intersection of Orondo and Chelan avenues than be one of the many searching for the best parking spot, but let’s pretend those curmudgeons don’t exist.

For a week and a half, Wenatchee turns into a place where neighbors run into each other in the main park in the city center. It reminds me of Mexico, France, Spain and Italy. In the evenings there, people gather in the plazas in city centers, strolling and gathering in one pleasant place. Often in those places, food vendors sell snacks and trinkets too. Apple Blossom really makes Wenatchee become a city with a sense of neighborliness, and most of that revolves around the Food Fair. At no other time of the year do people flock to the main city park in the evening here. I have a theory: food brings people together.

With the weather being so cold this year, I’ve only been to the Food Fair twice, and once was for work. It’s a pity. I type two blocks from the food, and I’ve been wanting a chocolate-covered banana with nuts for two weeks now.

For lunch yesterday, I ate a chicken Doner sandwich. It was good and not too greasy. Today I’m thinking of eating a piroshky or maybe one of those huge sausages with onions and peppers. But then a chocolate-covered banana might put me over the top. When I was a kid, piroshkys were my favorite food fair item. One year I ate so many that it made me sick. I tended to do that. Now I try not to.

This photo is one I took on Friday for our online feature with photos of people enjoying Apple Blossom. It was taken at the Food Fair. They really do look like they’re having a good time.

I really want to know if I’m missing something. We only have five more days of Food Fair finds. Is there something at the Food Fair that would be a travesty to miss out on? What do make sure you eat when the booths pop up in the park?