Need a Halloween costume idea? Visit the NC State Fair for some deliciously fun inspiration in the form of new and classic festival food. 
costumes created by Laura Petrides Wall |  photography by Bryan Regan

What to wear for Halloween? As the big holiday takes place right after another one of our favorite events — the N.C. State Fair — why not use it as inspiration? While some folks love to eat the wackiest possible food (see: donut sandwiches, fried who-knows-what!), others are there for classics like those giant turkey legs, candied apples or cotton candy. These Halloween costumes use those foods as a jumping off point, and are certain to make your State Fair-loving friends laugh.

Special thanks to our models, NC State students Samantha Pressly as Funnel Cake, Shreeya Duvvuri as Walking Taco, Matt Kruse as Turkey Leg, Kylie Shaw as Cotton Candy and Anna Haddad as Dill Pickle Donut.

This Funnel Cake costume looks so similar to the real powdered sugar-covered delicacy that you might have to fend off trick or treaters.

A new-ish addition to the NC State Fair, the Walking Taco gets extra festive when accessorized with a headpiece of sour cream, shredded cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and ground beef.

Doesn’t it seem like those Turkey Legs get bigger each year? Take it to the next level with this giant turkey leg costume!

What’s more classic at a fair or festival than a sweet, sugar-spun Cotton Candy?

Inspired by a favorite new concoction at last year’s NC State Fair in 2023, this costume takes its inspo from the famous Dill Pickle Donut, a tangy sweet and salty fair dish.

This article originally appeared in the October 2024 issue of WALTER magazine.