2021 Alaska State Fair underway

PALMER — The 2021 Alaska State Fair is officially underway. The opening weekend featured a variety of new and familiar things to see and do.

The 2021 music lineup is jam-packed with big names artists from the Lower 48 such as Portugal. The Man and Martina McBride, who played during the opening weekend of the fair.

Alaska-grown musicians are also returning to the Watering Hole, Sluice Box, and other nostalgic venues across the Fairgrounds, including the Jerry Wessling Band and the Ken Peltier Band.

The weather was particularly favorable with sunshine and clear skies most of the day Saturday and Sunday’s showers didn’t stop a hefty crowd from cycling through the fairgrounds.

The Fair is holding a three weekend season this year for the first time, taking two days off each week to sanitize the grounds. ASF CEO Jerome Hertel said the new schedule gives more opportunities to enjoy the Fair.

“We are so glad people are back after coming through a year with so many challenges, and it’s reassuring to know that we can count on everyone here to support us through these difficult times. Thank you for your valuable contributions to the Alaska State Fair. We offer our best wishes to you and your families as we all look forward to a great Fair this year,” Hertel said.

According to Hertel, there are over 100 new vendors featured along with longstanding crowd favorites. He said there’s plenty of exciting new things to see and do this year, but above all the Fair is staying true to its traditional roots.

One of the most familiar sites at the Fair takes place in front of the big, green agricultural barn. Throughout the day, children of all ages ride horses and ponies around and around, gleefully waving to their parents from the seat of their saddles.

“It’s really still a country fair,” Pony Wheel Ranch owner Annette Hale said.

Hale has owned and operated her homegrown business, Pony Wheel Ranch for over four decades.

Hale said she started Pony Wheel Ranch in the 1970s with the Alaska State Fair as their first venue. She said they return to the Fairgrounds every year, and they’ve become one of their longest returning vendors.

Hale said they were the Fair’s first pony ride vendor and it’s worked great ever since. She said her favorite thing about vending at the fair is seeing the children light up when they mount a horse or pony. She’s also cherished being able to see former customers’ children come back with children of their own.

“I’ve seen this fair grow… Everyone has a story, and we have people that come from all over. It’s just fun. It’s an interesting thing,” Hale said.

Hale reflected on the early days when she first started vending at the Fair. She said there were only about 50 vendors then.

“It’s come a long way. Now people come from all over, and it’s really a neat fair,” Hale said.

Hale said the rain slowed their overall customer rates on Sunday and Monday, but it’s been an overall good start for the 2021 Fair season.

“I’m glad to be back at the fair. It’s what gets me through the winter,” Hale said.

Hale said the new schedule with Tuesdays and Wednesdays off makes sense and works best for everyone. She said those are historically slow days anyway. She said the COVID cancellation hurt the vendors and Fair really badly. She said it’s been tough for everyone, but she’s hopeful that things will bounce back.

“There’s a lot of catching up to do, for us and the Fair,” Hale said. “This is our livelihood... The fair is an essential place... I can’t see it going anywhere,” Hale said.

Hale also doesn’t see herself going anywhere away from the Fair anytime soon.

“I’ll probably be here until I can’t move. Me and my horses, we’ll grow old together,” Hale said with a laugh.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com