Fair CEO reflects on 2023 season

PALMER — Alaska State Fair CEO Jeff Curtis said the 2023 was an all-around success.

“We felt great about it,” Curtis said.

Overall attendance was higher than last year, according to Curtis. He said that he was happy to see so many people cycle through the Fairgrounds.

“Our fair attendance was strong this year- even with the questionable weather,” Curtis said.

The Fair hosts big names from the music industry every year at the Borealis Theatre. This year’s lineup included Killswitch Engage, Turnpike Troubadours, Noah Kahan, FOR KING + COUNTRY, Blues Traveler, Flogging Molly, Nate Bargatze, Home Free, Yung Gravy, J Boog, The String Cheese Incident, Little River Band, and Noah Cyrus. Curtis said the concerts were very well attended this year and they sold out two shows.

“We look at that as a driver of success," Curtis said.

Over 500 vendors participated in the 2023 season. Each year, there's still many Alaskan businesses left on the waiting list for what’s regarded by many as the mecca of local opportunities with thousands of visitors making their way through the Fairgrounds daily.

“Most fairs can't even come close to that,” Curtis said. “They are greeted with variety. They get to experience, see, shop, and taste. They can do it in one location.”

Looking forward, Curtis said the Fair board of directors is working to continue maintaining and upgrading facilities, ensuring financial security for future seasons, and improving the overall experience for all participants and visitors. He said the board invests a lot of time and energy into the planning process.

Parking was free to fairgoers this year. Parking fees for the 2024 season will also be waived due to Glenn Highway improvements that are scheduled for the next two years. Since construction could interfere with visitor traffic, ASF opted to offer free parking.

According to a press release from ASF, this was the first time that general parking was made free to fairgoers in many years. Curtis said they had a lot of positive feedback about the free parking, noting that it may have even helped their overall attendance.

"That was a good result of this year's fair," Curtis said.

There were a lot of eyes on the Fair this year. The Fair made 29 million social media impressions leading up to and during the 2023 season, according to Curtis. He credited the Fair staff and volunteers for the large amount of public interest.

"The public is extremely interested in what the Fair has to offer," Curtis said. "There's such a variety of programming. It stacks up."

This was Curtis' first season as the Fair CEO.

"I was just really impressed. It was a quality fair before I got here," Curtis said.

Fairground activity doesn't stop in September. The Fair hosts a variety of public events put on by local businesses and community groups. The Fair also hosts its own events throughout the year such as the annual Bright Up the Night drive-through holiday display.

“I think that's critical. I feel great that we do that and we should continue to do that," Curtis said.

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