Good old-fashioned country fun: smells, tastes--delight of state fairgoers.

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

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Memories of state fairs tickle the senses. Once again, this year fairgoers can savor and smell outdoor vendors' hamburgers or kettle corn, stroke goats or sheep at a petting zoo and hear carnival ride sounds mingled with rock concert ballads. And the sights--treasured quilts, mega-vegetables and enthusiastic entertainers--delight the eyes.

Late summer is state fair season at several locations statewide. The largest event, the Alaska State Fair in Palmer, will run from Aug. 23 to Sept. 3 this year. In Fairbanks, the Tanana Valley State Fair is set for Aug. 3 to Aug. 11. The Kenai Peninsula State Fair, held in Ninilchik, is Aug. 17 to Aug. 19. Other state fair locales include Haines, Kodiak and Delta Junction.

Last year about 270,000 people attended the state fair in Palmer, according to Lacey Adcock, Alaska State Fair Inc. marketing and events assistant. This year's theme is "Fun Amongst the Giants."

New this year is the Tuff Truck Challenge, a four-wheel-drive truck show pitting national drivers against Alaskans and their trucks. The Tuff Truck Challenge and Demo Derby is Aug. 31 at 6 p.m. Tuff Trucks and Sprints run Sept. 1 to Sept. 2 at 6 p.m.

The Black Angels Amazing African Acrobats are also new to the Palmer event. They will perform three times daily.

Fireworks shows this year at the Palmer fair are Thursday, Aug. 25, Friday, Aug. 26 and Friday, Aug. 31.

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Everyone has a favorite stop at the fair, usually including a much-loved food. According to Adcock, all-time favorites in Palmer are the lumberjack show, offered daily this year, the petting zoo and the Great Alaska Racing Pigs. The BMX bike stunt show is another popular event, Adcock said. The giant cabbage weigh-off--on Aug. 31 this year--generates competition among growers and amazement for fairgoers.

Check the fair Web site for...