Alaska State Fair kicks off Thursday

From top-name concert performers to midway carnival rides to a chance to strut your stuff to your favorite music, the 2017 Alaska State Fair has it covered. The fair officially kicks off Thursday morning and continues through Labor Day — Sept. 4.

Fair Director of Marketing and Communication Dean Phipps noted this year’s online presence at the 12-day event includes a daily schedule allowing those attending the opportunity to personalize the day or days they plan to attend. Those wishing to buy tickets for any of the main headliners will also find the fair’s online mobile offerings to their liking.

“The most up-to-date schedules will be on the website,” said Phipps.

Phipps said the fair averages about 475 vendors spread across the grounds. This year’s offerings includes a new face amongst the sea of booths—“Crepes de Paris”. Proprietors Ghenadie and Marina Trocin are natives of the Republic of Moldova but have called Girdwood home since 2014.The couple specializes in sweet and savory crepes made from scratch. They will be located on the green trail across from the mail fair office.

Phipps said new food vendors don’t just pay for a space and set up shop.

“They had to compete to get a spot,” he explained.

Phipps said admission fees are unchanged from last year and those ordering tickets online have until up to midnight Wednesday to save 30 percent. This year also marks the second the event has been tobacco free. Phipps said the inaugural run-through in 2016 went off pretty well but this year’s fair will provide additional space for tobacco users to imbibe.

“We all ran into smokers behind a building,” said Phipps about the 2016 run. “They would usually say ‘you got me’, take one last puff off their cigarettes and put them out. This year, one thing we had to do is make smoking areas outside the (entrance) gates bigger. There wasn’t enough room last year.”

Phipps said another change to this year’s schedule is the big fireworks show.

“We moved it to the second Saturday of the fair. Primarily it was done around the horse schedules,” Phipps said. “They tend to get scared by the loud noises.”

Those who can’t get enough of the carnival midway rides hosted by longtime Alaska State Fair staple Golden Wheel Amusements might want to mark their calendars for Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 30-31. Phipps said fair organizers opted to make “buddy days” an all-day affair. The event also allows participants to purchase one fair admission ticket and receive one of equal or lesser value for free.

“Ordinarily it ran from 12-4 on one day and 2-6 on the next. This year, it’s all day. So if you buy a carnival ride ticket, your buddy rides free,” Phipps explained.

Phipps said Buddy Days gate admission coupons are available at all area Holiday Station Stores from now through Aug. 31. No coupon is required for carnival rides, just bring the friend along.

From noon until 2 p.m. opening day, gate admission is $2. Friday, Aug. 25, kids under 12 get in free. A donation of two non-perishable food items is encouraged for both offers. Those wearing official “Alaska Grown” apparel will get $2 off admission opening day.

Among the new offerings with general admission this year is the 501st Legion featuring a Star Wars themed event, western trick roper Loop Rawlins, the World of Music, and Clifford the Big Red Dog meet and greet for the kids.

A complete rundown of all events can be found in the 2017 Alaska State Fair magazine available in many locations throughout Southcentral, or by visiting the Alaska State Fair website at alaskastatefair.org.

Daily fair hours are noon-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Labor Day.