State fair offers last blast of summer: this year the fair runs from Aug. 25 through Sept. 5, celebrating the final days of summ

As opportunities to sneak in summer fun dwindle with the length of the days, the fair in Palmer offers a perfect way to get outdoors, see some unusual things, dive into tasty food and indulge the inner child with friends and family. Fair organizers are promising some new things this year, as well as all the entertainment, rides and crowd-pleasing country atmosphere Alaskans have come to expect from the 12-day affair.

This year, the fair runs from Aug. 25 through Sept. 5, and the theme is "2005 Alaska State Fair Brings Out The Kid In You." As daily schedules come together with the approach of the first day, efforts to add fun for all ages has become a key for planners.

"We have a different exhibit each year; new this year is the Creation Station," said Kris Knapp, marketing and events coordinator for the fair. "It's a hands-on exhibit for kids and adults." The exhibit will run throughout the fair, focusing on the science of genetics with interactive learning and other aspects designed to teach and entertain, she said. "Genetics!" is a traveling exhibition from the Pacific Science Center, which recently celebrated 40 years of leading the way in informal science education. The Imaginarium hosts the exhibit, which will help fairgoers learn about the theory of genetics with Mendel's mini golf, solve a crime at the DNA crime lab, and learn how to clone a sheep.

The Palmer fair is one of five fairs held annually in Alaska. According to fair officials, the first Valley Fair was held in downtown Palmer in 1936 on a five-block area. The first Cabbage Contest was held in 1941 and a $25 prize was won by Max Sherrod, with a 23-pound cabbage. The current cabbage record was set in 2000 by a 105.6-pound monster grown by Barbara Everingham.

Over the years, attendance at the Palmer fair has swelled to more than 312,000. Although overall attendance was down slightly last year, the 2004 fair still had more than 287,000 visitors.

These days, the spectrum of exhibits, crafts, food, music and sporting events provides a busy schedule each day of the fair. Among those entertainers scheduled to appear this year are Texas-born singer Tanya Tucker as well as Chubby Checker & The Wildcats. Special sprint car racing championships this year should also provide a treat for racing fans, Knapp said.

For the younger set looking for thrills, the Keith King BMX Bike Stunt Show is booked again this year at the Orion Dome. Similar to last year, the riders will show off their coordination and balance with flatland tricks, including spins and jumps. Then, the athletes, who have competed in ESPN's X Games and NBC's Gravity Games, will move to the ramp, performing aerial back flips, rail whips, 360s and lip tricks, organizer's said. King and five of his co-riders will perform three 30-minute shows daily.

A favorite to fairgoers are the animals, both for judging and for viewing or petting. Knapp said a special setup is under way called "Goat Mountain," which will allow goats to caper about among water, bridges and miniature mountain settings. "It's going to be as close as we can get to their natural state," she said. For those who enjoy visiting the barns for the chance to see the animals, it will be something new to see.

Admission to the fair this year is $10 for adults. Youth ages 6 to 12 and seniors 65 and older are $6. Children under 5 years old are admitted free.

For more information about the daily events, exhibits, and performance schedules and prices, check online at www.alaskastatefair.org or call 745-4827.

Print Get the Mag Weekly Updates