Seattle's Best Red Cup Showdown at the Illinois State Fair

Illinois State Fair

Alison: Did you know that the Illinois State Fair starts tomorrow in Springfield?

Susie: Wait, why are you telling me?

Alison: Going to the state fair always makes me think of the musical State Fair and in particular the song "Our State Fair".  I've never been to the state fair here in Illinois.  But we're going this year.  :)

Susie: Hold up, what's this WE bit?

Alison: Well, someone has to take fabulous pictures of me at the fair!

Seattle's Best Red Cup Showdown

Alison: Did you know that Seattle's Best is going to be at the fair this weekend?

Susie:  I think you're tricking me.

Alison: They'll be there with a special exhibit August 9-11th.  Visitors to the exhibit will be able to sample iced coffee drinks with wild flavors like elephant ear lattes and cotton candy mochas.

Susie:  This is sounding better.  You mean I get to drink coffee for free?

Alison: Yes! Free coffee!  You love coffee! Especially Seattle's Best Coffee!

Susie:  Back up a sec, elephant ear latte?  Cotton candy mocha?  Um, that sounds a bit unusual.

Alison:  But that's the thing you're trying different flavors!!

Susie:  Alright, alright.  I'm willing to try it is Seattle's Best after all.

Alison:  Isn't it wonderful! Also fairgoers can get their photo taken inside a life-sized red mug, win prizes and receive a free sample of Seattle's Best coffee to brew at home.  All the information is on their facebook page.

Susie:  More coffee! You're just lucky, I love coffee.

Red Cup Showdown

Alison: Friday morning is the Red Cup Showdown hosted by Celebrity Chef and Food Network Star Jeff Mauro.

Susie: Morning! Ugh, that's too early!

Alison: Remember there'll be coffee!

Susie:  I'm listening...

Alison:  The Red Cup Showdown will be in the Hobbies, Arts and Crafts building starting at 8:30 am.  Competitors will be creating yummy coffee drinks for a chance to win up to $500 and a years worth of free coffee.   The finalists get to go on to NYC to compete for a chance to win $10,000 and have their drink on the menu at Seattle's Best shops.

Susie:  I love competition! It's going to be a nail biter!

Alison:  I'm not sure we can say that.

Susie:  You're right.  How do we know if these people bite their nails...Maybe they're hair twirlers!

Alison:  That's not exactly what I meant...moving on.  This is the part of the fair I'm really excited about. Did y'all know that I used to be a master barista?  I love the smell of a good cup of coffee almost as much as the taste.  The things I can do with or without an espresso machine would amaze you.

Susie: Amaze them?  Hey, I'm sitting right next to you! Where's my amazing cup of coffee?

Alison:  We're in the middle of a post! You have to wait!  I'm not competing in the #RedCupShowdown but I'm just as thrilled to get to see it.  I can't wait to see what recipes the competitors come up with.

Susie:  Me too, I bet they deliver when they claim to make amazing cups of coffee.  I'm still waiting you know.

Alison: You can follow the competition on twitter!

Susie:  Ooo and a clip from the Ohio State Fair!  Now, it's finally time to drink my coffee!

*I am a member of the Collective Bias Social Fabric Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias and Seattle's Best Coffee #CBias #SocialFabric.  All opinions are my own.*