Until recently, I owned and operated a small fleet of concession stands at fairs and festivals throughout this region. There are really only two things you need to check out.

1. Your local codes. Every town I've been to has been different. Some follow state health dept. guidelines, some are county, and some are local. Call your local inspector and ask him for a copy of the codes that apply to you, if any. They should be more than happy to help you. In the past, I've seen everything from no codes at all to making a closing time run to the lumberyard for materials to build a screened enclosure for my smoker, lest I not be able to open.

2. Insurance. Yes, it's expensive, but invaluable in this litigation happy society. Keep the mantra that clean is never clean enough and you'll never have to use it.

Just use common sense and everything will be fine. Fun even. And remember, brats always sell, period, and the best corn dog batter is Dr. Pepper based. Enjoy.

Bud