Thanks, Alaska State Fair, for weathering the storm

Frontiersman editorial board

It's been a mixed year for the Alaska State Fair. Road construction, new staff and an ugly, public contract negotiation have made things a little tough. Still, as things wind down at the 2003 Alaska State Fair, it's only right to commend the fair administration for weathering the storm in style.

It's a huge task to plan and operate the state's largest public celebration, and each year brings its own special challenges. This year was probably one of the most difficult in recent memory for the fair administration, but the bumps in the road were largely invisible to the average fair-goer. Even an opening-day rain storm couldn't dampen the public's enthusiasm to visit the grounds in Palmer. The state fair is many things to many people, but for all of us, it's a chance for Alaskans to gather together and bid farewell to summer.

In fact, it wouldn't seem like the Alaska State Fair at all if at least a few raindrops didn't fall. Alaskans hardly seem to notice when the weather turns sour at our end-of-summer get-together. A few umbrellas come out, a few ponchos go on and more than a few people duck into an exhibit hall when the rain begins to fall, but the fair goes on. Vendors keep vending, rides keep running and people keep smiling. During one bout of rain, two men, each standing over six feet tall and each with an ample waistline, were spotted wearing thin, transparent rain ponchos and munching turkey legs. They couldn't have been happier, and they were a picture of what it means to visit the Alaska State Fair.

In that same way, the state fair administration weathered its own storms this year. The most significant challenge was the emergence of a contract dispute with Golden Wheel Amusements, the company that provides rides and other attractions for the midway. The fair administration wasn't aware the negotiations had reached an impasse until a reporter asked them about it. If the differences aren't worked out, the Alaska State Fair midway could be hosted by a new contractor next year.

While the news probably couldn't have come at a worse time for the fair, the people there simply put on their proverbial rain ponchos and set about the business of keeping this year's fair on track. We'd like to take this opportunity to thank the people at the Alaska State Fair for putting on another good show. We hope the road is a little less bumpy for them next year.