Serving Up Caramel Apples For Nearly 50 Years

Friday, October 5th 2007, 6:24 pm

By: News On 6

It may not be known what the longevity record is for vendors at the Tulsa State Fair, but Leo Zagnoli would have to be one of the contenders. The News On 6â€™s Rick Wells reports Leo has been setting up his booth at the Tulsa State Fair for 46 years. Heâ€™s been operating at the Iowa State Fair for 75 years. His booth is Zagâ€™s Caramel Apples and Apple Sundaes.

Leo says he loves the business.

"Makes me contented when I'm on a fairground, I don't care where,â€ says vendor Leo Zagnoli.

The Iowa man is 86-years-old. He says he started selling peanuts at the Iowa State Fair when he was 11. Caroline Wickham helps Leo Zagnoli run his booth when heâ€™s at the Tulsa State Fair. Sheâ€™s a Tulsan who went to the fair to ride rides, but ended up with a job.

â€œHe talked me into working a couple of days and I've been here 30 years," says Caroline Wickham.

Leo Zagnoli says he came with the idea for his apple sundaes years ago when people with braces or dentures were looking for something besides caramel apples to eat.

The vendor admits heâ€™s been working fair booths for a really long time. But, he says he loves the work and sees no reason to stop.

â€œNo headaches. No problems. No nothing, " said fair vendor Leo Zagnoli.

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