Queen of the fairgrounds: Alaska State Fair revives old tradition

PALMER — The Alaska State Fair is nearly here, opening Thursday, and an old idea is getting dusted off after nearly 40 years without use and is getting a modern makeover. The ASF Queen Pageant is back and the ladies involved intend to usher in a new era during their coronation event on opening night.

“We’ve been going back and there’s a pretty big gap in the history. This hasn’t been in the Alaska State Fair Queen for a while, so we’re trying to piece that all together,” Amie Haakenson, director of the ASF queen competition said.

Haakenson said that she is working with ASF historians and past Queens, inviting them to this year’s all-new debut.

Seven contestants are all set to appear in their own, unique cocktail dresses to compete for ASF royalty positions: two ASF princesses one ASF cultural ambassadors and of course, one crown to rule them all, the ASF Queen on the Colony Stage from 7 to 9 p.m.

“I see this helping me with my public speaking,” said one contestant, D’nayla Alston on Aug. 19 as everyone gathered on the fairgrounds for their interviews, icebreaking workshops and to practice their routines.

Haakenson was tabbed to bring the ASF Pageant back to life because she has over 35 years of experience with pageantry across the state. Haakenson’s assistant, Crystal Epperly-May is confident in her abilities to bring this classic notion back with a boom.

“It will be a lot of fun. Amie’s always able to make sure it’s bigger and better,” Epperly-May said.

Haakenson is currently a board member for the Fur Rondy festival, where she manages the royalty all year. She said that her personal, “Amie Goal” is to establish royalty for every fair across the state.

“I think I royalty has a commitment to our community to serve,” Haakenson said.

Each contestant of course, has their own background and their own set of skills that they intend to use if they are crowned. Hannah Noble plans to use her fun and colorful, hairdressing and make up skills if she is crowned as the Cultural Ambassador, a special royalty position that aims to promote the Alaska Native Cultures across the state.

“Holding a title is an opportunity to work on something in your community that you’re passionate about,” Haakenson said.

She said that the ASF queens will be judged on more than just beauty. Each contestant will be evaluated based on their communication, community service, and appearance/presentation. After ASF Queen and two other winners are announced, those ladies will mesh into the fabric of this year’s fair for all 12 days. Their work wont be finished when this fair season wraps up. Each lady will embark across the state, attending several events, reaching out to people and working on their individual projects, all to promote the ASF, a non-profit organization that hemorrhaged over $500,000 last year. It’s clear that brining back ASF royalty is one of several attempts to fund their operation and get their brand back into the forefront of people’s minds.

Bianca Temple appeared very confident on Sunday. She started pageantry when she was 14 years old and moved back to the Valley two years ago.

“I live for this stuff. I’ve always been a people person,” Temple said.

To find out about the 2018 Alaska State Fair admission prices, concerts, events and more, visit: www.alaskastatefair.org.