The Carbon County Fair is known in and around the area for its music, arena events, and livestock exhibits, but one thing visitors always stay for is the food.

The fair hosts an ever-widening array of food trucks and stands, offering everything from fair classics like funnel cakes, pizza and french fries, to newer fair treats like gourmet sodas, Jamaican noodle dishes and exotic tacos.Visitors to the 18th annual fair were treated to classics like Smitty's French Fries, cheesesteaks, pizza and ice cream. Throughout the entire day guests could be seen in at least one line to get themselves their favorite fair snack, including Daegan Mokshefski of Palmerton."I had one of the stuffed pretzels earlier - really, really good."Brent Harris of Lehighton was partial to the deep-fried treats at the fair."The deep-fried Snickers I highly recommend," Harris said. "The peanuts really add a little something."For those looking for a more daring dinner at the fair, Geakers Tacos offered, among other varieties, tacos with alligator meat. Jared Geake described the flavor as "chicken with a hint of shrimp."As part of its "Taco Tour 2017," Geakers served beef, chicken and alligator tacos. Patrons could also choose barbecue, Jamaican jerk or Asian sesame sauces to accompany their tacos.Geake said, "The alligator tacos are selling pretty well. They usually do, but the gator buckets are really starting to take off here. It usually depends on the crowds per day, though. Often if there's a big entertainment act we get more business and sell more gator."If alligator wasn't on the to-do list this year, patrons could stop by Caribbean Noodles on the main street of the fair, a stand offering yaki soba noodles with fresh vegetables, various homemade sauces and chicken as either an addition or a whole separate dish.Ron Conway of Caribbean Noodles has served hungry folks at fairs and festivals for three seasons now with Caribbean, but this was the first time the business put up a tent at the Carbon County Fair.Patrons could choose noodles with the tropical paradise sauce, described as "light and refreshing" with citrus and garlic, or Caribbean jwerk, which was a sweeter but spicier variety of the dish.Conway says that though Caribbean jerk is usually the fan favorite, he's seen an even split with it and tropical paradise, its other sauce variety offered at the fair.For only $2 more guests could also add teriyaki chicken to their noodles.The stand also served teriyaki chicken on a stick.Marie Good at the Funnel Cake & Lemonade Standsaid, "We're really the work horses here when it comes to funnel cake, that machine gets a workout. Usually, though, it depends on the weather. If it's too hot people either don't come or they just want lemonade."Uncle Paul's Stuffed Pretzels was also on hand at the fair, serving a variety of hot pretzels. Some of the fillings available to customers included pepperoni pizza, bacon cheeseburger and buffalo chicken. Their most popular stuffing being ordered was the chicken bacon ranch, as well as the steak and cheese.Visitors who were only looking to wet their whistles weren't disappointed either.A number of stands offered drink menus offering more than just brand-name soda and water.Those attending the fair could find fresh-squeezed lemonade, milkshakes and coffee, as well as other cold beverages.Just past the main gate patrons could buy themselves a gourmet soda at Chuck Wagon Old Fashioned Soda, where sodas like root beer, sarsaparilla and black cherry soda were served out of barrel taps.Guests could also purchase a commemorative mug from the stand to fill with soda that also could be brought back for refills at a reduced price.By the numbersHere's a look at just how much food gets sold at the Carbon County Fair:30: How many gallons of coffee NiBor's expects to sell during the fair.70: How many gallons of ice cream the Palmerton Lions Club will stuff between waffles at the fair.300: How many mugs of sarsaparilla, root beer, black cherry soda and other flavors Chuck Wagon Old Fashion Soda expects to sell during the fair.200: How many pounds of chicken it will take to feed the fair at Caribbean Noodles.250: How many pounds of noodles will accompany Caribbean Noodles' chicken.1,700: How many stuffed pretzels will likely be eaten by guests lining up at Uncle Paul's Stuffed Pretzels.200: How many pounds of alligator meat Geakers will put into tacos by closing Saturday night.2-3: Approximately how many alligators it can take to get 200 pounds of meat.