State fair begins today

PALMER — The rides are set, the booths are up and everything is ready to go for the start of the Alaska State Fair today.

“It looks pretty ship-shape,” fair Media Center staff member Michele Harmeling said.

The fair opens at noon and will feature the Governor’s Day Alaska Statehood Celebration, which, like many events this year, recognizes Alaska’s 50th year of statehood.

Gov. Sarah Palin is scheduled to be at the fairgrounds to take part in the day’s festivities.

Signs the fair is here have been popping up all week.

Besides changes within the fairgrounds, changes began taking shape earlier this week with a temporary lowering of the speed limit on the Glenn Highway.

Department of Transportation officials have lowered the speed limit from 55 to 45 miles per hour on the stretch of road running parallel to the fairgrounds. They’ve also erected signs prohibiting parking on the side of the Glenn Highway.

Enforcing those rules, and at the ready to respond to calls, will be the Palmer Police Department.

Palmer Commander Tom Remaley said the department will have the maximum number of officers on duty during the fair.

“Our guys are extremely busy,” Remaley said.

While the state fair hires its own security guards, Palmer will respond to reports of criminal activity, Remaley said. They’ll also be at the ready for traffic accidents that have become expected due to the increase in traffic.

Remaley offered some advice for fairgoers stuck in traffic.

“Give yourself time to get here, don’t get frustrated and enjoy the fair,” Remaley said. “And for goodness sake, pay attention to the signs.”

A drive by the fairgrounds reveals the usually vacant plot of land now plush with RVs, booths selling all kinds of food and other wares, and music venues are at the ready.

“We’re crowded with vendors,” Harmeling said.

Tourism officials are expecting a surge of fairgoers to boost the area’s economy.

“It has a huge impact,” said Casey Ressler, membership manager at the Mat-Su Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We get a lot of people who come for the fair.”As for how many people, that’s yet to be seen.

Dean Phipps, the marketing director for the Alaska State Fair, said while he doesn’t have a crystal ball to predict how many people will come, he’s expecting a good turnout.

The 2007 fair was the second best attendance wise in the fair’s history, Phipps said. This year, in an attempt to offset the crunch many families feel because of the economy, Phipps said organizers have tried to include more free activities that come with fair admission.

Also, Phipps said advance ticket sales to concerts with performers ranging from long-time band Kansas to newcomer Sean Kingston have been strong.

Ultimately, it’s up to the people to determine how successful the fair will be. Weather might play a role in that, Phipps said.

With this summer’s cool and wet weather, it’s anybody’s guess what Mother Nature will throw at the fairgrounds this year.

“This year we’re hoping for good weather,” Phipps said.

Daily tickets for adults ages 13-64 are $10, while youth tickets for ages 6-12 are $6. Children 5-years-old and younger get in free.

For more information about the Alaska State Fair, visit www.alaskastatefair.org.

Contact Michael Rovito at michael.rovito@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.