Peek at the Past

April 8, 2007

A seen in

the Frontiersman

Aug. 30, 1979

State Fair is a

record beaker

During the annual Alaska State Fair's first three days, about 87,000 people (more than a third of Anchorage's population) saw what is termed as the biggest and best State Fair ever.

Cloudless skies and temperatures in the mid 70s, drew people of all ages dressed in T-shirts and casual wear.

The attendance figures broke all records at 38,659. This was almost 8,000 more than the previous daily record set just last year.

The best part is the fair is to last 11 full days.

See you at the fair!

Beneath Pioneer Peak

Nestled just beneath 6,000-foot Pioneer Peak, is one of the better producing farms in the Matanuska Valley - the 120-acre Hollembaek Farm in the butte area -and this week, the crops are in.

The farm crews have been taking advantage of the sun the last week to cut, dry and combine an 80-ace field of Kentucky bluegrass.

The Hollembaeks raise and sell bluegrass seed under the name &#8220Nugget Bluegrass.” It's sold locally for lawn grass.

Scott Hollembaek said they farm some 900 acres in the Matanuska-Sustina Valley, leasing hundreds of acres of farmland scattered around the area.

Recently, they bought a 900-acre barley farm at Delta, where they will be moving their operations next season to raise oats, barley, bluegrass, and poppies.

Troopers seek

information

At about 12:30 a.m. yesterday, Alaska State Troopers responded to a report that a white male had either been thrown from or hit by a vehicle at Mile 6 on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway.

Michael P. Alward, 21, of Anchorage, died about 1:30 a.m. at Valley Hospital of injuries sustained in the accident.

Compiled by D. Lavrakas