The Alaska State Fair begins Aug. 24; make plans now

The Alaska State Fair will be in full swing from 24 Aug. to Sept. 4 at the Alaska State Fairgrounds in Palmer, about an hour north of Anchorage. The fair attracts close to 300,000 visitors per year.

The Alaska State Fair hosts several vendors, food to please every palate, rides, concerts, acrobats, animals, educational exhibits, record-setting giant vegetables and beautiful flowers.

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson members can purchase admission tickets through the Information, Tickets and Travel office; prices vary for adults, seniors, and youth, while children under five get in free.

Senior Airman Cody Brady, assigned to the 673d Logistics Readiness Squadron as a supply technician, said he enjoyed the fair last year.

“I like how many different people from the military, civilians and retirees from all around the country come together and [have a good time],” Brady said. “This is my last year before I permanently change station so I plan to try everything I can. I am looking forward to seeing the bands that are coming this year, not to mention a good turkey leg.”

Brady did not get a chance to try out some rides last time, so he said those are on his list.

Other than rides, two popular events each year are the cabbage and pumpkin weigh-offs; last year’s winners weighed in at 83.4 pounds and 1,468 pounds respectively.

Service members and their families who are planning to check out the state fair need to plan accordingly. To avoid traffic jams and a $5 parking fee, one option is the Alaska Railroad fair train.

For more information about the fair, visit alaskastatefair.org; for information about the fair train, visit alaskarailroad.com.