Alaska State Fairs: Alaska-Flavored Fairs Spark Summer's Finale: state fairs mingle horses, giant vegetables and friends.

• Author: Pounds, Nancy
• Position: Alaska This Month

Tanna Valley State Fair

Fairbanks

Aug. 1-9

Tannavaleeyfair.org

Kenai Peninsula State Fair

Ninilchik

Aug. 15-17

Kenaipeninsulafair.com

Alaska State Fair

Palmer

Aug. 21-Sept. 1

Alaskastatefair.org

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Late summer signals fair season statewide, and Alaskans in most regions can experience flavorful fare, entertainment and contests at five major fairs.

Alaska fairs feature the Last Frontier's brand of horse and livestock events, midnight-sun-grown vegetables and tractor contests, often in the shadow of mountaintop termination dust. The fairs are each region's largest community gathering, where familiar faces are often found.

The Southeast Alaska Fair was set for July 24 to 27, in Haines this year instead of the usual August dates. Kodiak Island has its Labor Day rodeo and state fair. Alaska's three larger fairs in chronological order are: Fairbanks, Ninilchik and Palmer.

FAIRBANKS

The Tanana Valley State Fair will run Aug. 1 to 9 at the Tanana Valley Fairgrounds in Fairbanks. This year's theme is "Pirates of the Carrots & Beans."

New features at this Interior fair include a newly paved midway area and a recycling program in cooperation with Greenstar, according to general manager Randi Carnahan. Performers will include country musician Steve Holy and the band WAR. New events will include an antique tractor-pull and a backhoe rodeo, Carnahan added.

About 260 vendors had registered by press time, she said.

Attendance last year eclipsed 128,000, Carnahan said. More than 1,000 volunteers participate in the event. Organizers bill the Tanana Valley State Fair as the oldest fair in the state--it was founded in 1924.

Carnahan savors the variety and unifying power of the Tanana Valley State Fair. "My favorite aspect of the fair is knowing that there is something here for everyone," she said. "It brings everyone in the Interior together for nine days and showcases the best of all the reasons we choose to live here."

KENAI PENINSULA

The Kenai Peninsula State Fair will be held Aug. 15 to 17 at the Ninilchik Fairgrounds.

This year's theme is "Kenai Peninsula State Fair--Where Pigs Fly." Organizers tout the festival as "the biggest little fair in Alaska."

Fair officials have added a livery stable this year that will feature an exhibit about farm animals and displays about horse ownership.

At press time 120 vendors were registered, with a maximum capacity of 160, Lara McGinnis said. About 7,800 people attended the fair...