State fair dedicated to injured volunteer Tuesday

PALMER — Tuesday will be Joel Stefanski day at The Alaska State Fair to honor the longtime volunteer injured in an Aug. 2 pre-fair accident.

Stefanski fell 21 feet while replacing old climbing poles for the Sheer’s Lumber Jack Show at the fairgrounds before the state fair began.

An experienced lumberjack, Stefanski was attached to one of the poles using climbing gear when the pole snapped at the bottom and fell with Stefanski still attached.

The impact shattered the longtime Palmer resident’s hip and caused damage to three veins in his pelvis.

Stefanski was flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle Aug. 4 where doctors attempted to repair his hip, said his sister-in-law Dawn Brettrager, who is in Seattle with Stefanski’s family.

Brettrager said the surgery became complicated when Stefanski began bleeding heavily from a major artery deep inside his pelvis and doctor’s had to put off repairing his hip to bring the bleeding under control.

On Monday, Brettrager said Stefanski is awake but very groggy.

“He’s really, really weak,” she said.

Doctors planned another attempt at repairing Stefanski’s hip Monday, and Brettrager said the family is hopeful the surgery goes well and Stefanski gets on the road to recovery.

Even when the surgeries are over, Brettrager said Stefanski is expected to be at the hospital in Seattle for at least a few months.

The state fair is helping by donating $2 of each admission fee collected between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m. Tuesday to help with medical and living expenses while Stefanski is in Seattle.

Fairgoers can also make contributions at the end of most lumberjack shows during the fair and can also make contributions to account number 125043BR at the Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union.

A Web site has also been set-up for Stefanski at www.caringbridge.org/visit/joelstefanski.

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