Staff photo / Ashley Fox Dan Thomas and Lori Cabuno of Canfield receive their fries from Molnar’s Concessions on Friday at the Canfield Fair Food Extravaganza. Thomas’ daughter, Gabby, accompanied the couple, also ordering food from Molnar’s. The group waited about 45 minutes in line.

CANFIELD — After waiting in line in the comfort of their car, Lori Cabuno, Dan Thomas and his daughter, Gabby Thomas, pulled over and broke bread together.

In all, they waited about an hour at the Fair Food Extravaganza at the Canfield Fairgrounds, which kicked off its three-day event Friday morning.

“We’re just anxious because we’re hungry,” Thomas said, laughing.

The trio makes it a point to go to Molnar’s Concessions at the Canfield Fair each year. “They have just about everything,” Thomas said.

The extravaganza hosts 12 vendors situated over the fairgrounds, allowing for social distancing between vendors and employees. Attendees stayed in their cars, while concession employees took orders as lines formed.

After noon, George Roman, the fair board’s director of concessions, said the “right amount of cars” were flowing through and allowing for a smooth operation.

Initially vehicles formed two lines: one for Island Noodles and another for Molnar’s. Fair board members and the 2019 4-H queen, Natalia Kresic, directed the traffic.

“It’s a little confusing at first, but it will iron itself out,” Roman said.

IN DEMAND

Robert DiRusso, owner of DiRusso’s Sausage, said the event seemed to be well-organized, allowing for things to begin smoothly.

His team, which included Tony and Ava Gallo cooking up orders, Kendall Bartels taking orders and Amanda Sciola, sales and marketing manager, working during the first rush when the gates opened to come up with a functioning system.

“The key is, it has to go efficiently,” DiRusso said of the traffic pattern through the fairgrounds.

When the double-line traffic began building up, for example, line monitors began telling folks how to cut through the grounds to get to their food destination faster.

“The grounds are perfect. It’s a big grid,” DiRusso noted.

He predicted things would get busier by evening, and he was right: At 6 p.m. Friday, Roman said that the gates were closing and about 200 cars were in line, waiting to get in.

To help keep traffic along state Route 46 flowing this weekend, Roman noted the Ohio National Guard will be on hand to assist. He also noted that if things go well, a second extravaganza will be considered.

RETURN VISITS

Making their way around the grounds twice were the Tabet sisters of Boardman.

“We’re enjoying what we can make of the fair,” said Charlene, with Colette adding: “We plan to be back for the actual fair, too.”

The sisters planned to return through the weekend, they said.

Together, the Tabet sisters enjoyed corn dogs, cotton candy, lemon shakes, cinnamon rolls and were considering stromboli on their second loop.

On Thursday, Roman said that there has been months-long discussions regarding the cancellation of the fair, which is still scheduled for Sept.2-7.

If the fair gets canceled, as have many others in Ohio in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the sisters said they would be understanding of the decision to keep everyone safe.

Still, the fair food event “gives a taste” of the fair, Colette said.

Also planning to go back this weekend are Thomas and Cabuno, trying to get their Molnar’s fix in the event there is no fair this year.

“If they still have the stands like this, that would help. That’s why we go to the fair,” Cabuno said. The excitement of seeing friends and family throughout the day at the fair would be missing from the fair experience, she added.