National Corn Dog Day
Get ready to enjoy a delicious snack on a stick! This crispy and savory treat will make your taste buds dance with joy.
Life isn’t fair. A fair’s a place where you eat corn dogs and ride the
Jennifer Brownferris wheel.
And that’s all the excuse we need to head off to the fair, or anywhere else that could supply this deep fried food on a stick! The corn dog is the perfect blending of tastes: delicious cornbread wrapped around a hot dog and dropped into a deep fryer filled with oil.
What else could a person want from a quick and easy snack that can be eaten on the go? But it gets even better because they put it on a stick.
It is common knowledge that anything on a stick is better, and National Corn Dog Day comes to remind everyone of that fact!
How to Celebrate National Corn Dog Day
While some people might not think this is a reason to get excited, Corn Dog lovers mark this on the calendar as one of their favorite days of the year!
Celebrations can range from the simple to the outrageous, but be sure to tell everyone about it and invite them to join in on the fun, as corn dogs are better when enjoyed with a loved one.
Try these Corn Dog related ideas for celebrating the day:
Eat a Corn Dog (Or Several!)
National Corn Dog Day is a day to finally go out and get yourself your Corn Dog fix, whether buying them frozen in the store and throwing them in the oven, or heading out to a local county fair and buying one straight from a vendor.
Some people may even want to expand their horizons by trying a cornbrat, which is a bratwurst deep-fried in cornbread, which is basically just a gourmet corn dog–only a bit more substantial. Yum!
Get a Special Deal at Sonic Restaurants
One of the largest corn dog serving chains in the US, with locations in 44 out of the 50 states (and looking to expand internationally in the near future), Sonic typically offers a special for the day, such as 50 cent corn dogs (normally $1.29).
Wienerschnitzel is a California based chain that has stores in 10 states and Guam. They have been serving corn dogs since 1965 and have often delighted customers by offering two corn dogs for $1 in honor of National Corn Dog Day (normally $1.49 each).
Other chains and individual restaurants that serve this delicious treat often give special customer discounts in honor of National Corn Dog Day. If a Sonic or Wienerschnitzel isn’t nearby, it’s worth asking at local restaurants to find out which ones have a special offer.
Share Corn Dogs at Work
Those who work in a large corporation may be able to get their company to make plans in advance to sponsor a corn dog food truck to come to the premises for a special lunch.
For smaller employers, grabbing some frozen corn dogs from a bulk grocery store and serving them to employees is a fun and rather inexpensive way to build rapport with staff.
Join A National Corn Dog Day Celebration or Festival
Folks in Oregon started it, so that would be the ideal place to celebrate the day! But various cities throughout the US and the rest of the world have also now joined in.
Check out local community listings to find one nearby. If there isn’t one? Consider getting one started!
History of National Corn Dog Day
This American treat has an interesting and multicultural history. Corn Dogs can trace their heritage from the sausage makers of Germany and, by extension, those who immigrated to Texas in the United States.
While the state certainly comes with more than its share of hot weather, the Germans who immigrated there weren’t intimidated. They moved there and set up business to sell their sausages.
As it turns out, those German Texans apparently found that their sausages were not well received. Because of this, they decided to be innovative, dipping the sausages in a distinctly American breading (cornbread) and frying them.
The first corn dog on record was documented in 1927, when a patent was submitted to the US Patent Office describing the process of making corn dogs in this way:
I have discovered that articles of food such, for instance, as wieners, boiled ham, hard-boiled eggs, cheese, sliced peaches, pineapples, bananas and like fruit, and cherries, dates, figs, strawberries, etc., when impaled on sticks and dipped in batter, which includes in its ingredients a self-rising flour, and then deep-fried in a vegetable oil at a temperature of about 390 °F [200 °C], the resultant food product on a stick for a handle is a clean, wholesome and tasty refreshment.
Since then, corn dogs have become incredibly popular, especially at events like fairs and county festivals. In addition, they have found a place in everything from school lunches to being served on military vessels like the USS George Washington.
And, of course, frozen versions of the corn dog (on a stick or in bite-sized mini form) can be purchased frozen at the grocery store and then heated up at home. It just goes to show there’s no wrong place to eat a Corn Dog!
In celebration of this simple yet satisfying treat, a Corn Dog Celebration was inaugurated in the United States in 1992. Beginning in Corvallis, Oregon, the first one was a simple gathering of a few folks who wanted to eat corn dogs and watch basketball.
The event grew bigger the following year when it expanded to other cities and included tater tots and beer. Eventually corporate sponsorships came through for the event (Foster Farms, an American foods company, and Jones Soda).
In 2008, the event peaked with nearly 5000 different parties on five continents, including one in Antarctica! Since then, the hype isn’t always quite as high, but this is still certainly a day worth celebrating.
National Corn Dog Day FAQs
How did corn dogs become a popular fair food?
In the late 1930s or early 1940s, vendors began deep-frying hot dogs coated in cornmeal batter and serving them on sticks.
This innovation made it easy for them to eat while walking around fairs, leading to their widespread popularity at such events.
Are there international variations of the corn dog?
Yes, several countries have their own versions. In South Korea, “hot dogs” feature a variety of coatings, including diced french fries or ramen noodles, and often contain fillings like cheese or squid.
In Australia, “dagwood dogs” are similar to American corn dogs but typically use a thicker batter.Â
What are some unique ways people celebrate National Corn Dog Day?
Beyond enjoying corn dogs, enthusiasts host themed parties featuring corn dog-eating contests, tater tot dishes, and beer pairings.
Some communities organize events that combine basketball viewing with corn dog feasts, embracing the day’s origins.Â
Is there a world record related to corn dogs?
Yes, in 1978, Luis Pirada of Eden, New York, set a Guinness World Record by eating 18 ears of corn in five minutes during the Eden Corn Festival.
While not directly about corn dogs, it highlights the enthusiasm for corn-related foods.
Are there any myths or misconceptions about corn dogs?
A common misconception is that corn dogs are unhealthy. While they are deep-fried, a standard corn dog contains about 225 calories, making it a moderate indulgence compared to other fair foods.Â
How has the corn dog influenced pop culture?
Corn dogs have appeared in various films and TV shows, symbolizing American fair culture. For instance, in the movie “State Fair,” characters enjoy corn dogs, highlighting their association with fun and nostalgia.Â
Are there vegetarian or vegan versions of corn dogs?
Yes, many companies offer plant-based alternatives using soy or other meat substitutes. These versions cater to vegetarians and vegans, allowing them to enjoy this classic treat.Â
What are some creative twists on the traditional corn dog?
Innovations include adding cheese inside the hot dog, using different sausages like bratwurst, or incorporating spicy batters.
Some even experiment with sweet versions, using pancake batter and breakfast sausages.
How did the corn dog get its name?
The name “corn dog” combines “corn,” referring to the cornmeal batter, and “dog,” a slang term for hot dogs. This straightforward naming highlights the snack’s simple yet delicious composition.Â
Are there any festivals dedicated to corn dogs?
While not solely focused on corn dogs, the Eden Corn Festival in New York celebrates corn in various forms, including corn dogs.
This annual event features food vendors, parades, and entertainment, drawing large crowds each year.Â
Need some inspiration?
Check out these videos for some extra inspiration in getting involved!
Also on ...
View all holidaysNational Goof Off Day
Taking a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life to have some fun and let loose is always a good idea every now and again.
Earth Hour
Taking a stand for our planet by flicking the switch and embracing the beauty of a starry night, one bulb at a time.
Gryffindor Pride Day
Lion-hearted and fearless, they stand up for what's right, showing the world that courage isn't just about a scarred forehead.