The first day of the Alaska State Fair was Thursday. So why is everyone asking where these monsoon-like conditions came from?

It's state fair time, so naturally it's going to rain.

So right now most of the people complaining about the rain are those on the Tilta-Whirl, those who actually paid to see Styx or those munching on a funnel cake.

But the fair is not the only event that still goes on despite the rain.

High school football still must go on.

For a player, rainy games can be one of the most entertaining parts of the season. Sliding for an extra six yards, reaching down to take a snap in a puddle of mud, seeing the ball squirt through the hands of player after player are all things that can make a rainy day game something to enjoy.

It makes the game truly unpredictable and entertaining. And entertaining for the fans -- the fans who remembered to bring an umbrella. Although most would rather watch the Bears take on the Packers at a rainy Lambeau Field on their televsions than take a local game in the wet, some still enjoy the unpredictable aspect of a game in less than ideal conditions.

For sportswriters, roaming the sidelines during a rainy-day game can be hell. On Thursday a monsoon rolled into the Valley before the beginning of Houston's varsity match with Sitka. And after just Houston's first offensive drive my three layers of clothing were already drenched, my notepad was soaked and I thought I was going to need a hairdrier to dry off my camera.

And by the looks of the weather as I try to finish this column prior to my Friday deadline, I will be spending another night at a high school football game in the rain. Even though I don't look forward to being drenched, I tell myself it could be worse … I could have to cover a city council meeting.

Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz would rather cover 100 games in the rain than one dry city council meeting.