FESTIVE FAIR FOODS

By Natalie Lariccia

  The sausage sandwich concession business was integral to the success of the Youngstown-based DiRusso’s Sausage Inc. The smell of peppers and onions wafts through the air. Paper cups are brimming with ketchup-covered, salty shoestring fries. A handful of crunchy-sweet cotton candy sounds heavenly, and a pleasantly puffy, powdered-sugared elephant ear beckons you for a bite. With a variety of summer church festivals, community events, street fairs and the Canfield Fair, the Mahoning Valley serves up an extensive array of events featuring festive fair foods. Area caterers and food vendors who sell items at local events agree that nothing beats a warm summer evening tasting tempting treats such as fried cheese, popcorn, caramel apples and the classic sausage sandwich. Originally referred to as the “Italian hot dog,” the sausage sandwich concession business was integral to the success of the Youngstown based DiRusso’s Sausage Inc. Specializing in creating old-world style sausage, DiRusso’s has been in business for more than 50 years and the popularity of the concessions spawned the company’s retail sales at area grocery stores, said Amanda Sciola, DiRusso’s director of sales and marketing.
  Perfect bite. The medium-flavored Italian sausage link, which has a little “bite” but features the “perfect blend” of spices is the company’s top seller and is sold at all concession trailers, Sciola said. The recipe was created by the grandmother of Robert DiRusso, DiRusso’s CEO. DiRusso’s sells its famed sandwiches at more than 50 area fairs and festivals annually and features nine trailers at the Canfield Fair.