Finalists for the Big Tex Choice Awards — an annual competition of delectable, over-the-top State Fair food — have been announced. Competitors will be judged in the following categories:

Savory snacks

Sweet treats

Nevins Nutty Bar-laska | Tami Nevins Mayes & Josey Mayes
Rousso’s Cotton Candy Bacon on a Stick | Isaac Rousso
Strawberry Pop-Tarts® Beignettfle | Justin Martinez
Texas Sugar Rush Pickles | Heather Perkins
Tropical Two-Step Punch | Binh Tran

How the finalists were chosen

From a record-breaking 65 entries submitted by 40 concessionaires, 24 semi-finalists were chosen based on uniqueness, creativity, presentation, and taste.

For the competition, internal judges sampled the food items without knowing their origins. They evaluated each entry on three aspects: how appealing it was to fairgoers, its creativity, and its taste. The final three winners will be revealed by fair officials on August 22.

Even if your favorite semi-finalist didn’t make the final cut, many vendors may still feature their innovative creations at their stands this year. The competition promises a delicious showcase of Texan culinary creativity at the most Texan place on Earth.

Do you smell all that fried goodness through the screen? Imagine how it will taste in person. What are you excited to try?Let us know.