State fair grows bigger, better

Driven by generous grants, increased sponsorships and record concert ticket sales, the Alaska State Fair experienced another financially successful year while continuing to provide quality entertainment and education, and a great value for fairgoers.

These sorts of things don’t happen by accident. They’re the result of thoughtful, ongoing planning, which is why the fair began working on a master development plan to guide future growth.

Since summer 2012, we’ve worked with David Forkner of Populous, a highly respected architectural and planning firm. Forkner will present his proposed master plan for our fair at a community meeting at 7 p.m., March 13 in the Colony Theatre on the fairgrounds.

The meeting is open to the public and everyone with any interest in the fair is encouraged to attend. This is an opportunity to share your ideas and concerns, and weigh in on the future of the fair. Forkner will take comments from the meeting into consideration prior to presenting his recommendations to the fair board.

The fair has a lot of positive momentum, and our master plan will ensure we continue on that path. More than 300,000 people attended in 2012, proving that love of the fair is stronger than bad weather. We set yet another concert attendance record with more than 30,000 tickets sold for the 2012 AT&T Concert Series.

Free entertainment around the grounds continues to expand, with more than 3,200 Alaska entertainers in 2012, an increase of more than 200. We are incredibly proud of the value the fair offers. For the price of a movie ticket, you have access to all-day entertainment.

People from across the state and beyond entered almost 8,300 competitive exhibits and were awarded more than $32,000 in premiums. Palmer farmer Scott Robb set a new world record with a 138.25-pound cabbage at the 2012 fair. It’s because of the hard work of farmers like Robb that the fair has become internationally known for our giant vegetables.

The Raven’s People program, which is a celebration of Alaska’s Native cultures, is part of our continued effort to reach out and involve Alaskans throughout the state in our fair. Individuals representing almost every region of Alaska participated in the 2012 Ravens People program, which included performances, exhibits and demonstrations. The master plan will include a new Raven’s People gathering place on the fairgrounds, with the goal of encouraging even wider participation.

Of course there is also the economic impact of the fair. The end result of bringing together 300,000 people, 3,200 Alaska entertainers and 470 local vendors is a significant positive impact on our community and state.

Our positive impact continues through our community partnerships, like our longstanding relationship with the Mat-Su Miners baseball team. In 2012, we finalized an agreement that allows the team continued use of Hermon Brothers Field on the fairgrounds through April 30, 2025. We’re proud to host the home team now and for many years to come.

The fair’s strength can also be seen in the support we receive from sponsors and grantors. We had $500,000 in sponsorships in 2012, which is double from just five years ago.

The fair has also been the recipient of numerous grants that have funded quality fair programming, such as the world-renowned “Our Body: Live Healthy” exhibit and the Raven’s People program, as well as important infrastructure projects, including the new roof on our Don Sheldon Events Center, a new covered sitting and eating area, Farm Exhibit roof repairs, and sewer system expansion and upgrades. While many of these infrastructure projects are “invisible” to the public, they are imperative as they allow the fair to continue to grow and improve the fairgoers’ experience.

Our deep appreciation to grant funders Rasmuson Foundation, Mat-Su Health Foundation and Alaska Legislature. Their support provided direct benefits, like safer, drier and more comfortable facilities, as well as indirect benefits, like allowing the fair to use funds originally slated for these projects in other areas, such as improved entertainment and educational exhibits.

Speaking of improvements, traffic and parking is a common concern voiced by fairgoers and the community. I’m pleased to report that we are working with the Department of Transportation on a plan for the Glenn Highway that should result in significant improvements to traffic flow. We’ll continue listening to fairgoer comments and then working with the appropriate partners to create positive change.

As the Alaska State fair, we work every day to be “Alaska’s” state fair and involve people from every part of the state. To achieve this, we need your voice and your vision. Join us March 13 to hear about the proposed master plan and help direct the future of your Alaska State Fair.

John Harkey is president of the Alaska State Fair Board of Directors.