Temporary fix for Alaska State Fair; Liquor license renewed, future remains uncertain

PALMER — When the rain filled days drench fall fairgoers with early September weather, at least those caught in the showers will be able to drown their sorrows at the Sluicebox.

The Alaska State Fair’s liquor license was renewed for the 38th year at the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board meeting on February 19. The fair’s liquor license was renewed under the previous ‘recreational site’ classification, setting up another clash over classification in two years when the license is up for review again. The ABC renewed the fair’s license with reservation, meaning that it is still unclear whether the Alaska State Fair meets the definition of a recreational site license, according to General Manager Jerome Hertel.

“We’re happy about it of course, because our immediate concern was being able to operate for the fair in 2019. Not knowing what was going to happen in the legislature, whether or not that bill would get passed, so we’re happy with the outcome of it. It gives us a little breathing room. It gives us some time to work on SB 16 and get that passed,” Hertel said.

Senate Bill 16, which would create a new classification for fairs, was referred to the Senate Finance Committee on February 25. Sen. Peter Micciche sponsored the bill, and Valley Senators Shelley Hughes, Mike Shower and David Wilson have cosponsored the bill along with Jesse Kiehl, Chris Birch, Click Bishop, Lora Reinbold and Gary Stevens. The fair license would apply to not just the Alaska State Fair in Palmer, but also the Tanana Valley Fair in Fairbanks, the Peninsula fair, and all other fairs defined as “an annual gathering of residents of all or a portion of the state that offers competitive exhibitions of livestock and agricultural crops, carnival amusement rides and games, displays of arts and crafts, or other outdoor entertainment.”

Hertel said he would prefer that SB 16 pass so that the Fair can change their license from ‘recreational site’ with a loose definition that leaves the status of the license in jeopardy to the Fair license in SB16 which is much more accurately represents the Alaska State Fair. Unlike many of the state fairs that operate in the Lower 48, the Alaska State Fair is not subsidized by the state at all, and relies on all it’s revenue streams, including alcohol.

“It more clearly defines exactly what that is and so that there’s no misinterpretation about whether or not we meet the definition for a recreational site license. So we would be operating under a whole new license category,” Hertel said.

The fair had previously fought the ABC board on being able to sell alcohol at multiple locations, and won. Now Hertel has two years to focus on getting SB 16 passed so that he can breathe, and drink easy.

Contact Frontiersman reporter Tim Rockey at tim.rockey@frontiersman.com.