Wisconsin State Fair introduces 'The Drinkies' competition alongside 10th anniversary of 'The Sporkies' 🍹

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Wisconsin State Fair is getting the state's mouth watered with the Wednesday, June 14 announcement of the 10th anniversary of "The Sporkies" food competition, introducing a new chapter in this legendary showdown.

This year marks the debut of "The Drinkies," a competitive platform for non-alcoholic beverages, alongside its well-established Sporkies sibling.

Both the Sporkies and the inaugural Drinkies will commence on Tuesday, Aug. 1 with a panel of celebrity judges selecting winners from eight Sporkies finalists and four Drinkies finalists.

The contenders, drawn from an initial pool of 31 and 11 entries respectively, will vie for the prestigious Golden Spork and the debut Drinkie award, judged on the bases of appearance, presentation, creativity, originality and, of course, taste.

Among the Sporkies finalists are:

• Beer Cheese Wisconsin Lava Cake from WürstBar, a savory spin on a classic desser;
• Coastal Corn Nuggets by Tropics, featuring deep-fried dough balls filled with sweet corn kernels;
• Deep-Fried Apple Pie from Saz’s BBQ, a unique take on a classic campfire treat;
• Dill Pickle Donut by Fluffy’s Hand Cut Donuts, an April Fool's Day joke turned into a State Fair reality;
• Irish Dipper from Slim McGinn’s Irish Pub, a flavor bomb sandwich inspired by fan requests;
• The Porkie by Camp Bar, a sundae that provides the perfect dessert while watching the pig races;
• Sweet and Savory Funnel Cake “Fries” from Bud Pavilion, paying homage to the beloved State Fair staples in one decadent dish;
• Wisconsin Quesadilla by Mexican Grill, a quesadilla filled with "the best of Wisconsin."

The inaugural Drinkies finalists are:

• Brown Sugar Sweet Potato Iced Latte from Mashed Potatoes On-a-Stick;
• Cotton Candy Lemonade by Saz’s Miller High Life Pavilion, offering a sweet blend;
• The Ferris Mule by Old Fashioned Sipper Club, a summer classic with a Fair twist;
• Mango Tango Tajín from Caribbean Smoothees, a perfect blend of sweet and spicy.

The tasting panel will be moderated by Dario Melendez and feature celebrity judges including Chef Adam Pawlak, Chef Ashley Turner, Judy H. of MKEeeeeats, radio personality Melanie Ricks, Ryan Castelaz of Discourse Coffee and The Counter Day Bar, Sandra Dempsey of Source Ten and Estamos Unidos US and former NBA player Steve Novak.

Adding to the festivities, a 13-foot Spork or Drinkie statue will grace all finalist locations, offering a distinctive recognition to each contender. Each Sporkies and Drinkies finalist will be available for purchase during the 2023 Wisconsin State Fair.