Tis' the season to enjoy the fair

It’s that time of year again.

It has been said that “everyone loves a parade,” and that sentiment could double for people’s feelings toward the Alaska State Fair as well. After all, who doesn’t love strapping on massive feedbags of kettle korn, gnashing gargantuan turkey legs and putting a few quarters down at the rat race?

Not many people, surely. However, it’s not all fun and games for locals during fair time.

Traffic is probably the biggest issue that folks complain about, as for nearly two weeks the Glenn Highway near the fairgrounds becomes probably the most congested road in the state. For people who have to use the road to access their homes or businesses, the temporary roadblocks and fair traffic pattern can be a headache.

For folks who roll their eyes at all the visitors using our roads this time of year, we feel your pain. However, we also urge locals to have patience and understanding when waiting a couple extra minutes in traffic. Palmer residents are notoriously welcoming to fair visitors, and there’s no reason to expect this year will be any different. It’s always amazing to see how gracefully folks here deal with the temporary hubbub the fair brings to town.

Many here are intimately involved with the fair in some capacity, whether that means operating vendor booths, growing veggies for the big weigh-offs, or simply attending the event for fun. While everyone has their own reason for loving the event, the fair is one thing that has the power to bring residents of the Mat-Su – as well as the rest of the state – together for one last party before we start to hunker down for winter.

The fair also has a huge economic impact on our area for which we are also grateful. The event gives a major boost to not just businesses that directly benefit from the fair, but pretty much anyone who does business in Palmer-Wasilla.

Organizers say there will be about 300,000 visitors to the fair, a number that’s almost half the state’s total population. Hotel rooms will be packed, stores will be bustling, and there will be a definite buzz to the business community. The fact that the fair has become a permanent fixture in Palmer since the 1930s is something that has given this area a sense of pride as big as the giant cabbages the Valley is famous for.

We hope everyone has a happy and successful state fair season. We’re sure residents will welcome visitors with the open arms and warm hospitality that makes the Valley the best place to live and play in Alaska.

Enjoy this year’s fair and have fun … just remember to go easy on the cotton candy.