April 2, 2021

Carnival food is coming back to Hartford this spring, with a second wagon bringing even more treats.

Last year, when the coronavirus pandemic left The Midway Cafe wagon stranded from its usual carnival circuit, owner Rose Zeig decided to set up shop in her hometown. Locals flocked to the stand for corn dogs, funnel cakes and other fair food, and they were joined by travelers along Interstate 90 who had heard about the novelty on social media.

This year, The Midway Cafe is adding a second wagon, The Midway Cafe Popcorn Co., which will serve popcorn balls on sticks, flavored popcorn, gourmet caramel apples, Hawaiian shave ice and fresh-squeezed lemonade.

“I’m really excited to get something new and different,” Zeig said. “It’s a cool concept. It’s a gourmet marshmallow popcorn ball on a stick with different kinds of flavors. … You can make all these different kinds of shapes,” including the “Muddy Pig” that’s half-dipped in chocolate.

The caramelizer vat in the wagon can be used to make popcorn with flavors like regular caramel and then vanilla, Oreo cookie and tutti-frutti, Zeig said. The caramel apples will be special too, “dipped in peanuts or rolled in M&Ms — so many different varieties.”

For the Hawaiian shave ice, customers will use a mixing station next to the trailer to add whatever flavors they like. “You can have all 12 flavors if you want,” Zeig said. “It will be a cool thing for the kids out there this summer.”

The popcorn wagon had been at the Iowa State Fair the past couple of years, and Zeig told the owner that when he was ready to sell, she wanted it.

“The trailer is so gorgeous,” she said. “I’m so excited.”

Zeig expects to open the original trailer April 21 and the new wagon probably a week or two after that. They’ll be in the same location as last year: a parking lot between First and Second streets on Western Avenue, which is the direct exit off I-90 into Hartford.

Hours will be noon to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Zeig doesn’t know yet if she’ll be back on the event and carnival circuit this year.

“I’m going to start out in Hartford. Long term, I don’t know. I really enjoyed being at home. I made some amazing friends and met amazing people. I had so many calls and messages this winter: ‘We can’t wait for you to reopen.’ If I was to go back on the road, it would be the middle of May.”

More events are being scheduled this summer, but in states like Minnesota, which was part of the carnival circuit, some restrictions are still in place.

“Things are still so different. We don’t know what the heck is going on,” she said. At least for now, she’s “pretty content sitting at home” and serving the community.

In addition to getting the wagons set up in the next couple of weeks, Zeig will be busy learning her new menu.

“I’ve never popped fresh popcorn in my life,” she confessed. “The worst smell has got to be burnt popcorn. I’m really hoping to not burn anything. I know I’m going to burn some!”