Jobs are fair, money is good

For some teens, the Alaska State Fair isn't a two-week party where they can visit with friends as the summer winds down. To them, the fair is a two-week money grab, where working long hours means less time with friends but more pocket cash.

Each year, teens look to the Alaska State Fair as an employment opportunity where working 12 days can pay for their winter's activities. They have to forfeit their final two weeks of summer vacation, but it's worth it, many say.

"You can make pretty good money if you want to," said 17-year-old Tammy Royce, who is in her second year as a fair worker. "The fair isn't that fun when you are working, but I guess any job isn't that fun."

Some teens return to the same booths year after year, while others take more of a "freelancing" approach to finding employment.

"This year, I came to the fairgrounds a week before the fair started and asked around if anybody needed workers," Brian Royce, Tammy's brother, said. "I ended up building a couple booths in that week and made even more money."

At the fair, for those willing to work, there's almost always a spot. The work can be tough, and the hours aren't exactly the best. The jobs range from spending all day over a hot fryer making funnel cakes to scooping ice cream for eight or more hours a day.

At the end of a long, hot shift, some teens can count on one hand the number of hours until their next shift begins, day after day. For many teens, it's their first experience as members of the working world.

"The fair's only 12 or 13 days long, I can make it I think," said Brian Royce, who is working at an ice cream stand along with his sister. "After the first day, I couldn't believe how sore my arm was. I had to start scooping left-handed every now and then."

Royce's co-worker, 17-year-old Allen Darve of Anchorage, said the long hours and sore scooping arms will be worth it come Tuesday, the day after the fair ends.

"I want a new cell phone and a CD player for my car," Darve said. "I'm going shopping next weekend, that's for sure. I've got some money to spend now."

While many students use the fair as a way to make some money before school starts, others volunteer their services.

In the livestock area, the GCI Petting Zoo helps local 4-H Clubs by contracting them to work the zoo, in exchange for the money patrons spend on food for the animals.

"You get to know a lot of people who raise the animals, and how to work with them better," said Megan Kenley, a member of the Winner's Circle 4-H Club.

Kenley is working with the livestock this year, her second at the Alaska State Fair.

"You learn while you work," Kenley said.