Fireworks, carnival rides highlight first day schedule

The Alaska State Fair is getting off to a roaring bang this Thursday, as the first day of the fair ends with one of three firework shows planned for the event.

The fair gets under way Thursday at noon, the first time Thursday has been a full day rather than just a preview night. The fair runs through Sept. 1, Labor Day, and is promising to be full of "Home Grown Fun."

Thursday is filled with several events to keep fairgoers hopping all day. Around the fairgrounds, events include the annual lumberjack show, demonstrations on goat and cow milking, a children's' garden maze, the X-Jam featuring BMX, vert and freestyle skating and Grand Funk Railroad at 7 p.m.

The fair's first evening ends with a fireworks show at 10 p.m.

Thursday is also one of the three days in which the Coca-Cola Zip Strips are available at the midway. For $25, fairgoers get 15 rides on the midway.

The other two days the Zip Strips are valid are Aug. 27 and Sept. 1.

The fair is open from noon to 10 p.m. on weekdays this year, and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends and Labor Day.

Admission is $8 and $5 for children over six years old.