The Christmas Factory and The Ice Maze Offer Additional Holiday Cheer

Palmer, Alaska – Bright Up the Night, Alaska’s largest drive-through holiday light display, returns to the Alaska State Fair for a 29-night run, beginning on Thanksgiving, November 25, through January 1. Tickets to the event go on sale November 12 here.

The light display, presented by AT&T, features more than 70 different light displays spanning the entire length of the fairgrounds, from the Purple Gate through the Green Gate. From the warmth and comfort of their vehicles, guests drive through almost a mile of festive light displays while enjoying the holiday music broadcast synced directly to their radio.

Bright Up the Night is open Thursdays through Sundays from November 25 through December 12, and daily from December 16 through January 1. Hours are from 5 to 9 p.m.

Tickets to the event go on sale November 12. A limited number of vehicles will be allowed in each hour, and ticket reservations must be made online in advance. Admission purchased by November 24 is $20 for personal vehicles, $35 for vans or limos, and $70 for buses. Tickets purchased after November 24 are $25 for personal vehicles, $40 for vans or limos, and $75 for buses.

New this year, the fairgrounds will host another family-friendly, wintertime attraction: The Ice Maze. Guests to the maze will navigate through a labyrinth of winding pathways, surrounded by solid ice formations created by artist Cory Livingood. At night, the ice will glow from within by lights frozen inside, illuminating the way. Additional details on this attraction will be available soon.

Guests can continue their holiday cheer by taking advantage of the Fair’s partnership with The Christmas Factory, which offers a 10 percent discount to anyone who buys tickets to either event.

At The Christmas Factory, located on the fairgrounds, visitors experience the magic of Christmas by touring Santa’s workshop, delivering a personalized letter to Santa’s mailbox, getting a peek into the elf wrapping room, powering up Santa’s sleigh, enjoying a treat in Mrs. Claus’ bakery, and even meeting Santa himself.

For more information contact Melissa Keefe, marketing and communications manager, at [email protected].

Holiday Bazaar Dates Extended; Mighty Monster Boo Fest Postponed

Palmer, Alaska – In consideration of the health and safety of participants, the Alaska State Fair has made some changes to its fall event schedule. First, the annual Holiday Bazaar will take place over two weekends instead of one, and preregistration is required for entry. Additionally, the Mighty Monster Boo Fest, originally scheduled for October 23, will be postponed. While the exact date is to be announced, the Fair expects it will be after the New Year.

“The Fair continues to do our part to keep staff, vendors and visitors to the fairgrounds as safe as possible,” said Jerome Hertel, Fair CEO.

The Holiday Bazaar, typically held over one weekend, will take place October 16 – 17 and October 23 – 24 in an effort to spread out crowds. It will be open Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Raven Hall and Hoskins Building.

Admission to the bazaar is still free, but shoppers must register online in advance to reserve a time slot. Reservations may be made on the Fair website, alaskastatefair.org. Attendees are asked to adhere to the 6-feet social distancing guidelines and masks are strongly encouraged for all attendees. Additional details on event safety precautions are listed here.

The popular event provides an excellent opportunity to jumpstart holiday shopping, with a wide range of gifts from more than 100 vendors to choose from. Clothing, art, knives, jewelry, glasswork, quilts, antiques, food products, furniture, woodwork and books are just some of the items that can be found at the bazaar.

A variety of food trucks, including Grandma Weis, Grizzly Dogs, Nonkie, BBQ Babes, and Tiki Pete’s, King of the Moutain, Tj coffee truck and Taco love will be on site to keep shoppers fueled. In between the shopping and eating, families can also meet Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Halibut Cove shellfish farmers are Alaska’s Farm Family of 2020

(Palmer, AK) – Alaska’s Farm Family of the Year for 2020 is the Bates family of Halibut Cove, whose determined operation of their shellfish farm in Kachemak Bay embodies the innovative, resilient spirt of Alaska agriculture even in the face of a global pandemic.

“Alaska agriculture is a growing, evolving industry, and nothing reflects that more clearly than the selection of oyster farmers as Farm Family of the Year, “ said Dave Schade, director of the Division of Agriculture. “Greg and Weatherly Bates have embraced the opportunities of aquaculture in Alaska, and their success in this new market sector points to a prosperous future for them and other farming families, as well.”

The Bates both grew up the coastal culture of a seashore Rhode Island town, and after successfully managing a growing oyster farm there together they married, then honeymooned in Alaska. Falling in love with the state and its opportunities, they moved north in 2007 and started Alaska Shellfish Farm. With the help of their children, Rockwell and Vera, their growing family operation produces and sells oysters and mussels, and recently expanded into the evolving kelp market.

When the COVID-19 pandemic closed off national markets, they met the challenge by refocusing on local sales, even loading oysters on a small boat tied to shore for sale to locals on honor system, according to those nominating the family, who added that “Weatherly and Greg are the hardest-working, most compassionate young couple we have ever met.”

The “Farm Family of the Year” award was established in 2000 by the Alaska Division of Agriculture and the Alaska State Fair with the intent to honor an Alaska farm family that best epitomizes the spirit of the industry that year, and to show appreciation for hard-working Alaskans committed to agriculture, including Alaska’s growing aquaculture segment.

With the COVID-19 pandemic driving many normal activities online, the division used online resources to increase the accessibility of the award and the visibility of the industry it supports, Schade said. Nominations, including the winning nomination, arrived online.

The Alaska Farm Family of the Year for 2019 was the St. Pierres of Ester, Alaska. Previous winners include the Olsons of Soldotna, and the McCollums and Pinklemans of Delta Junction.

CONTACT: John Whipple, (907) 761-3874, [email protected]

 Allie Barker and Jed Workman are Alaska Farm Family of 2021 

(Palmer, AK) – Alaska’s Farm Family of the Year for 2021 are Allie Barker and Jed Workman of Chickaloon, owners and operators of Chugach Farm, where they grow nutrient-dense food through sustainable and regenerative methods with a focus on living self-sufficiently. 

“Chugach Farm is the perfect example of what growing the agriculture sector in Alaska looks like,” said Governor Mike Dunleavy. “I applaud the efforts of Allie Barker and Jed Workman in working to help Alaskans across the state achieve self-sufficiency with sustainable food for now and in the future.” 

The lure of mountain climbing in Alaska drew Barker and Workman north separately 23 years ago when Barker, born in Ohio, and Workman, born in Connecticut, met during a 40-day mountaineering employment training expedition on the Nelchina and Matanuska glaciers. They eventually married and in 2002, driven by the desire to live off the land and grow their own food, purchased raw land out of pocket to build their off-grid homestead and farm from the ground up. 

In 2010, the couple decided to share their nutritious food with others, and committed to farming, nutrition, making ferments, and putting up food full time. She is responsible for the farm operations, while he focuses on maintaining their off-grid systems, helps with building projects, mixes and ferments animal food, takes care of the animals, and is an avid cook. 

Barker is drawn to the challenge and hard work of farming, and says it’s “the only thing that is harder than guiding on Denali.” The family’s focus is on producing nutrient-dense, single-origin, sustainable food by using regenerative agriculture, alternative energy, and no-till farming methods. The couple operate a program to donate food to hungry kids through the Kids Kupboard, and have hired people for intensive apprenticeships and many other positions. 

“Allie and Jed embody the innovative, resilient spirit of Alaska Agriculture, even in the face of a global pandemic,” said Division of Agriculture director David W. Schade. “We are proud they were selected as Farm Family of the Year.” 

The “Farm Family of the Year” award was established in 2000 by the Alaska Division of Agriculture and the Alaska State Fair with the intent to honor an Alaska farm family that best epitomizes the spirit of the industry that year, and to show appreciation for hard- working Alaskans committed to agriculture. 

The Alaska Farm Family of the Year for 2020 was the Bates of Halibut Cove, Alaska. Previous winners include the St. Pierres of Ester, Olsons of Soldotna, and the McCollums and Pinklemans of Delta Junction. 

CONTACT: Amanda Swanson, (907) 761-3869, [email protected] 

Fairgoers encouraged to purchase parking, admission in advance

Palmer, Alaska – As Alaska continues to respond to the global pandemic, the Alaska State Fair will implement a series of safety precautions intended to protect the health of fairgoers, staff, volunteers, vendors, entertainers and others at the 2021 Fair.

Earlier this year, the Fair announced an extended 14-day schedule to help spread out the crowds and keep everyone as safe as possible. Fairgoers are encouraged to purchase parking and admission tickets in advance online at alaskastatefair.org to better estimate attendance and to help keep the public safe.

“This will help us predict crowd sizes and manage our resources to keep patrons safe,” said Jerome Hertel, Fair CEO. “Purchasing tickets online is a contactless transaction that reduces the spread of germs.”

The Fair does not anticipate daily attendance limits at this time, Hertel added. Fair organizers will continue to monitor current CDC guidelines and are working closely with local, state and federal health agencies.

Other safety measures planned for the 2021 Fair include:

• Additional handwashing and sanitizing stations will be available throughout the fairgrounds.
• High-use areas will be cleaned and disinfected regularly.
• Contactless transactions are encouraged.  Skip the line, buy online-don’t wait at the Gate.
• Fairgoers are encouraged to wear face masks in congested areas. Face masks will be available at all enclosed exhibit buildings.
• Fairgoers are encouraged to practice social distancing where possible.
• Patrons are asked to stay home if sick or experiencing symptoms of illness.

The 2021 Fair, themed Seeing is Believing, will be held Friday, August 20, through Monday, September 6, at the fairgrounds in Palmer. Hours will be 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily. The Fair will be closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (August 24 – 25 and August 31 – September 1) for additional cleaning and disinfecting.

For more information, visit alaskastatefair.org or contact Melissa Keefe, marketing and communications manager, at [email protected].

(Palmer, AK) – The Division of Agriculture and the Alaska State Fair invite the public to submit nominations for the twenty-second annual “Farm Family of the Year” award, to be presented at the 2021 Alaska State Fair.

The “Farm Family of the Year” award was established in 2000 by the Division of Agriculture and the Alaska State Fair with the intent to honor an Alaska farm family that best epitomizes the spirit of the agriculture industry for the year, and to show appreciation for hard-working Alaskans committed to agriculture and mariculture.

The 2020 winning family was the Bates of Halibut Cove, Alaska. Previous winners include the St Pierres of Ester, the Olsons of Soldotna, and the McCollums and Pinklemans of Delta Junction.

Nominations will be accepted through July 15, and can besubmitted at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2021FFY.

Throughout the nomination period, the “Alaska Grown”Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/dnr.alaskagrown/) will feature nominated farm families from across the state, withinformation on their history and influence on Alaskaagriculture.

CONTACT: Glenda Grawe, (907) 795-9700,[email protected]

The Alaska State Fair has selected the recipients of its 2021 scholarships; a total of $6,000 will be awarded to five Alaska high school students through the Fair’s annual scholarship program. The Fair’s 2021 scholarship recipients include:

The 2021 scholarship recipients were selected out of a pool of 48 applicants. Every student who submitted a completed application will receive two free admissions to the 2021 Fair, which is scheduled for August 20 – September 6.

“Educate” is a key part of the Alaska State Fair mission, and as part of this focus area, the Fair is pleased to award annual scholarships to Alaska high school students. Fair scholarships are open to all Alaska junior and senior high school students who plan to attend college or vocational school. The application period typically opens in January and runs through March. Scholarships are awarded in May of each year.