Midwestern Traditions: Food, Sports, Music, and Community Life

Food

• Pork: Roasted loin, fried chops, bacon-wrapped meatloaf, tenderloin, grilled chops, pulled pork, baked chops, bourbon chops.
• Corn: On the cob, creamed, cornbread, casserole, soup, pudding, nuggets, fritters.
• Beef: Tenderloin, grilled steak, meatloaf, pot roast, steak & potatoes, burgers, BBQ brisket, stroganoff.
• Potatoes: Mashed, fries, chips, tater tots, baked, pancakes, hash browns, salad.
• Casseroles: Tater tot hotdish, green bean, funeral potatoes, corn, wild rice, chicken divan, Jello salad, tuna.

Drinks

• Sweet tea, iced tea, lemon shake-ups, milk, beer.

Sports

• Baseball: Wrigley Field (Cubs), Twins, Cardinals, Royals.
• Football: College (Michigan, Ohio State, Notre Dame); NFL (Bears, Packers, Vikings).
• Basketball: College (Kansas, Duke, Kentucky); NBA (Bulls, Pacers, Bucks).
• Hockey: NHL (Wild, Red Wings, Blackhawks); huge in Minnesota, Michigan.

Music

• Blues: Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Howlin' Wolf; Chicago & St. Louis festivals.
• Rock & Roll: Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley; Chicago Blues Fest, Summerfest.
• Country: Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Garth Brooks; Country Thunder, CMA Fest.

Other Traditions

• State Fairs: Annual livestock shows, ag displays, food, midway games.
• Church Potlucks: Post-service community meals.
• Block Parties: Summer neighborhood gatherings with food, drinks, games.
• Tailgating: Pre-game grill-and-chill in stadium parking lots.