Alaska State Fair keeps the ‘Ag’ in agriculture

The 2024 Ag Games event drew numerous participants at the Craig Taylor Farm Exhibits building at the Alaska State Fair Thursday, Aug. 22.

The Ag Games is a free annual competition that's open to all ages. It features numerous farm themed contests such as the hay bale toss, potato toss, butter churning, and pickle eating. Fairgoers were able to sign for one or multiple Ag Games contests during the day of the event, giving all walks of life the chance to participate.

Quoddy Repnow won the hay toss event.

“It was kind of crazy with that second toss. I didn't quite know if I was going to go that far because I was throwing it overhand," Repnow said.

Repnow is no stranger to handling hay since he regularly helps out at a family farm in Palmer and participates in the 4-H program. He said that he's entered in numerous state fair contests such as the Scarecrow Contest and Homesteader Games.

“All these contests are always fun to enter," Repnow said.

Repnow said that he always enjoys coming to the Fair and all the things it has to offer.

"I like the 4-H shows they have here. I like going out on the Zipper on Buddy Day,” Repnow said.

Manny Bliss and Cecilia Lister won the potato toss contest. Bliss said this was their first time entering a Fair competition, and they both got a huge rush from the experience.

“It's gonna be hard to come off this high," Bliss said with a laugh.

Lister said that she enjoys the Ag Games’ laid back and welcoming atmosphere.

“It's a fun time," Lister said. “It's just for everybody and that's nice.”

Nicholas Tallman won the butter churning contest. He said that he's participated in the Ag Games before and won top 3 placements in multiple events. He said that he enjoys partaking in a contest that doesn't take itself too seriously.

“It's just a fun competition- very small stakes for the most part,” Tallman said. “I think it's great being a part of this with everybody.”

ASF events assistant Alicia Maddaloni oversaw the 2024 Ag Games competition.

“This is one of my favorite events," Maddaloni said. “This year, there's so many people. That's a good thing. It's so exciting.”

Maddaloni credited the dedicated volunteers for making this event a success.

“Without their help, it would not go as smoothly as it does," Maddaloni said.

Maddaloni said that she enjoys seeing families interact without technology and enjoying “old school games” when they participate in Fair events like the Ag Games.

“I think it's a positive experience. It kind of just makes everybody smile," Maddaloni said.

Maddaloni said the Ag Games help draw Fairgoers to the agricultural exhibits, highlight the farming lifestyle, and pay homage to the Fair's traditional roots. She said that keeping the agricultural aspects of the Fair intact is an essential part of the overall experience.

“They kind of get to see inside the life of what it's like to live on a farm and work on a farm,” Maddaloni said. “I think it's one of the most important things we do… I think keeping it is so important to so many families.

For more information about the 2024 Alaska State Fair season, visit alaskastatefair.org.