Small Towns and Childhood Treats Can’t Be Beat
Ah, late spring…when our thoughts turn to warm days and tasty treats from our childhood. We start to crave things like creamy ice cream, salty popcorn, and tart lemonade. For some reason, these childhood treats taste even better when we find them in small towns.
Fulton’s downtown Brick District has all your childhood favorites, plus some amazing “big kid” treats like boozy slushies and tangy mutton sandwiches. Yep, we said mutton. More about that, and the boozy slushies, later.
Nothing cools down a kid on a warm day like getting drenched. The waterworks splashpad in Memorial Park opens in mid-May. The park is located at the south end of Brick District at Court and Second Streets.
A few blocks north of the park, you will find a bevy of summer treats in the heart of the Brick District. Let’s start with Sault’s Drug Store, near 5th and Court, where you can get an old-fashioned phosphate or made-to-order shake, or malt, from the 1930’s soda fountain. If frozen yogurt is more your thing, go a half block west on 5th to Lulu’s where you can fill your cup by weight and choose from a variety of sprinkles and toppings.
When you need something crunchy, walk a block north on Court Street to Go-Po the Gourmet Popcorn Shop where you’ll find popcorn with attitude. Go-Po uses farm-fresh kernels and high-quality ingredients to craft traditional favorites like caramel and cheddar, plus seasonal flavors such as lemon meringue. Go-Po’s coffee bar serves “Go-Jo” favorites using locally roasted beans from Camacho Coffee. They also have over 100 board games for all ages and a foam play area for the littles.
Just across the street, is The Spot food stand and The Station cocktail bar. The Spot is known for handspun cotton candy, fresh lemonade, specialty lollipops and their sandwich of the day. The Station is known for boozy, frozen cocktails and an amazing back patio. Put them together and you have the perfect hangout spot for kids of all ages.
Now, about that mutton sandwich…
Mark your calendars for the Fulton Street Fair, to be held in the Brick District June 24 - 25. This annual, small town festival is big on entertainment including a parade, hot air balloon glow, car and motorcycle shows, a carnival, live music and more. It is also the first, and only summertime stop on the Callaway County Mutton Trail.
While this tangy sandwich is a flashback to older times, fans will tell you that salad has nothing on mutton. For those who haven’t acquired a taste for mutton, the Street Fair has plenty of other food options for the less adventurous.