Here comes the state fair!

North Side Buzzing—The north side of Palmer proper is “on fire.” There are more than a few new building and construction projects on Arctic along with road improvements and building plans in the works. The former In & Out /Pizza Delphi building has new tenants including a fabulous tattoo artist and a guitar supply and teaching shop. The Backcountry Bike & Ski shop is expanding, the old antique store is transforming and the Yak is having a complete renovation. These are just a few of the visible changes on this northern side of downtown Palmer.

Main Street is full and busy—There are no empty storefronts and there is always pedestrian traffic on Alaska Street, (which is actually the “real name” of Main Street.) The Bar block is full as are the other city blocks— beautifully positioned across from the Library and Community Center, aka the Palmer Depot.

The Food Trail is filled with greens for the tasting. Our library and museum have a full slate of offerings lined up for fall. These torrential August rains are working themselves out and everyone takes a big breath and a big pause—as we head into the FAIR!

Here Comes the State Fair—There is simply nothing like it. It takes over the town and it takes over the schedules. It changes traffic patterns and work-shifts and chores for just about everyone. It is the 2 week period where life is defined by different food offerings, circus attractions, show and tell stories, and events we remember for the rest of our lives. How fortunate we are to have this big and wonderful experience right in our front yard. Yes, there will be some traffic snarls and yes there will be many strangers in town, but all in all it is a terrific annual experience.

It’s the Same—You’ve seen all the advertisements. You have heard about the headliners. The rides are constructed and the buildings are in place. This is the time of anticipation for most of us. But there is always that person, who will say, “It’s always the same old thing.” We know that person is out there—ready to suck the joy out of the fair experience. Here is some ammunition for disarming that fuddy-duddy:

Hundreds and Hundreds—There are thousands of brand new entries in the exhibits sections of the fair. These entries include original pieces of art, sculpture, fireweed wine, clay yarn bowls, wooden spools, exotic quilts, renaissance dresses, stuffed handmade elves, woven tapestries, and photographs—so beautiful—it will make you cry.

Food is Ridiculously Great—I will just list a few kinda nutritious reasons—sizzling hot turkey legs, spicy pork chops on a stick, soft, hot funnel waffles, strawberries and cream, fresh peaches, salmon quesadilla, oysters on the half shell, reuben sandwiches, soft warm cookies fresh from the oven, spun cotton candy, sugary and salty popcorn in huge bags, corn on the cob and reindeer sausage. This is but a short list of all the food offerings that the fair presents but it should be enough to make you salivate.

People Watching at its Finest—The Alaska State Fair is the best venue to watch the world walk by. It is at the State Fair where you will see your neighbors and the rest of the community. The best part of people watching is the opportunity to see and talk with folks you normally don’t see. This is one of the joys of traveling to different places…but with the State Fair you don’t have to drive thousands of miles or fly for 5 hours.

Instead you can just watch and interact from a park bench. You get to open your eyes to different customs, ages, nationalities. You will see cowboys, rock stars, rappers, 4-H kids, beauty queens, runners, bikers, babies, great grandpa’s, tweens, elders, farmers, millennials, boomers, and pioneers. It is this great collection of citizens, heralding from different parts of Alaska, which fills us up with joy. Take a moment to appreciate all the diversity in this state and the richness that comes with it at the Alaska State Fair.