It’s almost time for the 2025 Wisconsin State Fair! (It runs July 31 – August 10.) And that means it’s time to unveil, ponder, drool over, and/or worry about this year’s Sporkies and Drinkies finalists! You know, the Sporkies and Drinkies! The State Fair’s annual weird-and-wacky food/drink-stuff competition that tasks local eateries and bars to come up with, well, weird-and-wacky food/drink-stuff!

And you better believe this year’s competition features some doozies. We’ve got Blueberry Breakfast Bratwurst! A Hunk A Hunk Elvis Donut Ice Cream Sandwich! Brat Rangoon! A Purple Rain drink inspired by Prince! And, of course, a Dirty Pancakes drink, a.k.a. “a playful take on a dirty soda that tastes like breakfast in a cup”!

Here are the eight Sporkies and four Drinkies finalists, which will all be available at the Fair. And yes, we’ll review them all. (Photos and blurbs courtesy of the Fair.)

SPORKIES FINALISTS

A Hunk A Hunk Elvis Donut Ice Cream Sandwich
Available at Badger Bites
A Hunk A Hunk Elvis Donut Ice Cream Sandwich is a sweet and savory donut ice cream sandwich that would make The King proud. Enjoy a Grebe’s Bismark donut stuffed with a heaping scoop of Fat Elvis Ice Cream (banana ice cream swirled with salty peanut butter ripple and rich chocolate chips) and pressed for warm, gooey perfection. It’s topped with chocolate and peanut butter sauce, crispy bacon, and powdered sugar for the ultimate indulgence.

Blueberry Breakfast Bratwurst
Available at Milwaukee Brat House
Blueberry Breakfast Bratwurst is a morning-meets-Wisconsin creation wrapped in fluffy pancake perfection. Usinger’s Blueberry-infused brat is nestled inside a flapjack and pairs perfectly with sweet and smoky house-made bourbon bacon jam. No matter what time of day, this is a breakfast lover’s dream!

Brat Rangoon
Available at WürstBar
Brat Rangoon are a crave-worthy fusion of Wisconsin comfort and Asian street food. This unique German-Asian dish features crisp wonton wrappers filled with bratwurst, cream cheese, green onion, and melted cheese, deep-fried, and drizzle with house-made sweet and sour sauce. Topped with Nori Komi Furikake seasoning, these savory bites pack flavors together in every crispy crunch.

Gochujang Smashburger with Kimchi Bacon Jam
Available at Blue Moon Tavern at the Park
Gochujang Smashburger with Kimchi Bacon Jam is a mouthwatering Korean-inspired burger bursting with heat, umami, and crunch. It features double smash patties layered with melty gouda, tangy gochujang sauce, crunchy cucumbers, and sweet-spicy kimchi bacon jam – all on a toasted brioche bun. Finished with fresh cilantro, it’s an unforgettable fusion of comfort food and global flavor!

Mexican Street Corn Pizza
Available at Charlie’s Pizza
Mexican Street Corn Pizza is a flavor fiesta inspired by the beloved flavors of elote. This bold and cheesy pizza features sweet corn, mozzarella, cotija cheese, spicey mayo, and fresh lime on a crispy, golden pizza crust. Topped with a lime, each slice is served hot and ready for tangy, creamy, and savory bites.

Pretzaroni Pizza Brat
Available at Gertrude’s Pretzels
Pretzaroni Pizza Brat is the delicious fusion of a pretzel, a pizza, and a bratwurst. A St. Joe’s Garlic Parmesan brat is wrapped in pretzel dough lined with pepperoni, baked to golden perfection, and finished off with homemade garlic parm topping. Served with a side of marinara, it’s cheesy, meaty, and totally Wisconsin.

S’mores Churro Fries
Available at Saz’s BBQ
S’mores Churro Fries turn your favorite campfire treat into a crispy, shareable dessert. Cinnamon-sugar churro fries are topped with gooey marshmallow creme, rich chocolate sauce, and crushed graham crackers. It’s a sweet, crunchy, and nostalgic treat that everyone will love!

Ube Butter Banana French Toast Lumpia
Available at Lumpia City
Ube Butter Banana French Toast Lumpia puts a twist on a traditional favorite sweet lumpia flavor called Turon. This Filipino-American dessert mashes up deep cultural roots and modern flavor made with caramelized bananas, syrup-soaked French toast, and rich purple ube butter, then deep-fried until golden and dusted with powdered sugar. Delicious for any meal of the day at the State Fair!

DRINKIES FINALISTS

Carnival Cooler
Available at Tropics
The Carnival Cooler is a bright pink drink that tickles the tastebuds with a mix of watermelon, pickle juice, and lemonade. Add zesty lime, Tajín, and the sweet heat of hot honey to create a bold mix of sweet, salty, tangy, and heat. Finish the drink off with a lime wedge on a carousel pick and fun straw for summer in a cup. NOTE: This drink can be made alcoholic for our 21+ Fairgoers.

Dirty Pancakes
Available at Buzzy Badger
The Dirty Pancakes is a playful take on a dirty soda that tastes like breakfast in a cup! Root beer is mixed with vanilla creamer and maple pancake syrup, brown sugar popping boba, and then topped with whipped cream. Plus, breakfast lovers will rejoice as the straw is lined with mini pancakes for an on-the-go snack.

Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Smoothie
Available at Caribbean Smoothees
The Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Smoothie is a decadent blend of fruity, nutty, and rich dessert flavors in one strikingly beautiful drink. A refreshing strawberry smoothie is layered inside a cup swirled with pistachio butter and chocolate topping, then garnished with shredded Kataifi and extra chocolate drizzle. This Insta-worthy twist on the viral Dubai chocolate trend is a can’t miss treat!

Purple Rain Refresher
Available at Rock and Roll Beer Garden
Inspired by the glam and grit of rock legends, the Purple Rain Refresher is a show-stopping drink that captures the magic of a live show. This mix of Concord grape juice, tart lemonade, and grapefruit soda is topped with edible glitter and pop rocks that shimmer and crackle like the crowd at a headliner set. Plus, this drink changes color with each sip of shimmering blue and silver edible glitter!