The after-fair after glow

When the fair shuts down, many have mixed reactions. There is happiness because the schedule has been long and hard on vendors and performers and workers. There is relief that it went well. There is melancholy sadness because it is over. There is joy in the memories and the pictures and experiences. There is acceptance because there is snow on the mountains and it’s time. But there are the post fair blues that only leftover kettle corn, a cookie or a turkey leg can soothe.

Our 2023 Fair is Done—This is the week that the Alaska State Fair takes down its’ tents. The fairgrounds is no longer a place of construction. It is being broken down—piece by piece. There is a full work force disassembling structures, removing products, recovering pieces, and removing the traces. Fortunately the fair is selectively dismantled and it is a careful deconstruction process. Basically it is the construction—in reverse. It isn’t as fun as the building process because it lacks the anticipation and the dreaming. As it empties out, it feels desolate and lonely. However the state fair grounds has some very good and permanent structures—the various beautiful pavilions, Raven Hall, Sluice Box, the Wineck Barn, the Colony Theater Old Church building, the Livestock Barn, and the exhibit halls—Hoskins, Irvine, the Don Sheldon. These structures keep the fair active and solid at many different times throughout the year.

BUZZ Interview with the Animals—As the farm animals began to leave the livestock barn, there was an opportunity to question them on the fair and their individual future. The pigs were quite ambivalent about the question. The chickens, ducks and other poultry, along with the rabbits, were very anxious to return to their homes and farms; they categorically stated that they would not miss the fair at all. However, the goats were exactly the opposite. The goats liked the social hustle and the bustle along with the all the attention. Many of the hogs and steers were a bit concerned about their future despite winning all sorts of high auction bids and ribbons. The racing pigs don’t think much about their future except to say that a goodly number of them were moving to the Mat Su Valley, for reasons unknown to them.

BUZZ Interview with the People—Vendors were happy the fair went “fairly well” and the success was largely weather driven. The Stilt people loved the fair and want to come back. Likewise with some of the dancing troupes and talented musical groups. The wonderful helicopter guys loved showing off the flight-seeing adventure but they are going back to their regular contract work with agencies and businesses. The recyclers were proud of their work this year and are anxious to share the value of their collection. Exhibitors are always proud of their contributions to the fair and many, many are going home with ribbons and accolades. They are also gearing up for some fine new creations for Alaska State Fair 2024.

BUZZ Interview with the Veggies—The leftover vegetables (including the giant pumpkins and cabbages) are all looking forward to their special trip down the highway to becoming a succulent dinner for the wildlife including brown bears, wolves, black bears, porcupines, wood bison and moose at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and Sanctuary.

Palmer Returns to Palmer—Things will return to normal this week. It was exciting and fun over the last three weekends. But Palmer gets to run its own clock now and that means things get easier and there is less drama. Palmer mostly loves the fair but it is always good to get our little community shops, peaceful parks, and restaurants back. Goodbye State Fair—It was Grand.

Barbara Hunt is both Palmer writer and artist. She works hard to keep the robust pulse of Palmer, Alaska. She shares the good stuff on the weekly Palmer Alaska Buzz in the Mat Su Valley Frontiersman and daily on the Palmer Alaska Buzz Facebook Group. Contact at bhunt@mtaonline.net or text 907.315.3222