Alaska State Fair kicks off with Sneak-a-Peek Night

PALMER - The first evening of the Alaska State Fair is Thursday, although the fair does not officially begin until Friday morning.

If saving money is the name of the game, Sneak-a-Peek Night is the way to go. Thursday at 5 p.m., the fair will open its gates for the first time, and the special evening comes at a drastically reduced price.

Admission is only $3 for adults and $2 for children, with parking free throughout the evening.

Normally, admission to the fair is $8 per person and it costs $4 to park, unless you have four or more people, which is free. It costs $8 to park a fifth-wheel trailer or an RV.

While the competitive exhibits wont be open Thursday night, all of the booths are scheduled to be. It gives fair-goers a chance to see whats new, whats not at the fair this year and what they want to see again once the fair gets rolling for real on Friday.

If you cant live another day without a bag of cotton candy, Sneak-a-Peek Night may be the way to go.

Attending Sneak-a-Peek Night carries the added bonus of a pay-one-price option for the amusement-park rides.

On three days during the fair, thrill seekers can ride the rides as many times as they want for $15.

Thursday, the midway opens for the pay-one-price customers at 6 p.m., an hour after the fairs gates open, with rides continuing until 10 p.m.

The other two days for the one-price days are Aug. 28 from 4-8 p.m. and Sept. 1 from noon-4 p.m.

There is still time to purchase fair tickets ahead of time to save money.

All tickets bought at a CARRSTIX location before Thursday come at a discount of $2 per adult ticket and $1 per child or senior ticket.

Three-day passes are also available at all CARRSTIX locations, as well as at the fairs office.

Friday, the fair opens its doors at 10 a.m. and closes them at 10 p.m. That is the schedule for the duration of the fair, other than Thursday.

For information, people may contact the fair at either 745-4827 or 1-800-850-3247.

Complete fair schedules are also available at the fairs Web site, www.alaskastatefair.org.