(Palmer, AK) – The Alaska Division of Agriculture invites the public to submit nominations for the 20th Annual Farm Family of the Year award, which will be presented at the 2019 Alaska State Fair.

With support from Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union, the Alaska State Fair established the award in 2000 to honor an Alaska farm family that epitomizes the spirit of the industry, and to show appreciation for hard-working Alaskans committed to agriculture and aquaculture.

The Farm Family of the Year selection committee includes representatives from the University of Alaska, the agriculture industry, and several state and federal agricultural agencies.

Nominations should include details about the family and fulfill the following criteria:

• Production of quality Alaska Grown products (not based on quantity)
• Community involvement (e.g. civic organizations, school, sports, church)
• Involvement in agricultural industry organizations (local, state, and federal)
• Overall farm family image, farming history, and unique or special production

Nominations are due by June 30, 2019 and can be submitted by mail, email, or fax to:

Johanna Herron, Market Access and Food Safety Manager
Alaska Division of Agriculture 1800 Glenn Hwy, Suite 12
Palmer, AK 99645
j[email protected]
Phone: (907) 631-1593
Fax: (907) 745-7112

September 7, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

First look at the 2018 Fair

“Good year” for the Fair, initial numbers show

Palmer, Alaska – Bolstered by lots of sunny days and a strong second weekend, it appears that it was a good year for the Alaska State Fair. The 2018 Fair took place August 23 – September 3 at the fairgrounds in Palmer.

Most notably, ticket sales for the Fair’s AT&T Concert Series were up 46.4 percent, with a total of 28,515 tickets sold in 2018. Concerts featuring breakthrough country star Luke Combs and acclaimed violinist Lindsey Stirling were sold out. 

Fair attendance also appears up in most areas. Although final numbers are still being calculated, those confirmed so far indicate a 2.5 percent increase over last year.

There were several other positive indicators of a good year at the Fair, including:

• Sold-out shows for the Demolition Derby and all three All-Star Monster Trucks shows at the Grandstand
• 23 new state records set in crops exhibit entries, including a 26-inch cucumber and a 1,471.5-pound pumpkin; see the full list on the Fair website
• $224,000 raised at the 4-H Junior Market Livestock Auction, up almost $10,000 from last year in a continuing upward trend

A special membership meeting was held during the board reception on opening day of the Fair, where Fair members voted to change the annual membership meeting date from the second Thursday in February to the third Wednesday in May.

Watch the Fair website and social media channels for additional details on the 2018 Fair. For more information, please visit alaskastatefair.org or contact Dean Phipps, Fair director of marketing and communications, at [email protected] or 907.746.7153.

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The very first Alaska State Fair in 1936 featured the crowning of the Fair Queen – and we’re bringing back this royal tradition with a modern twist at the 2018 Fair!

Join us at the coronation event on Thursday, August 23, at 7 p.m. on the Colony Stage, where we’ll crown the queen and select other members of the Fair royal court, including two princesses and a cultural ambassador. Fairgoers also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite candidate to be honored with the People’s Choice Award!

Eight young Alaskan women are vying for the Fair Queen title this year. Meet this year’s candidates:

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Bianca Temple:

“Since 1936 the Alaska State Fair has become the highlight of every year. Becoming the Alaska State Fair Queen would not only recreate history, but it would be an amazing opportunity to represent a staple of Alaskan tradition. My compassion, ambition and outgoing personality would allow me to share these experiences and fulfill any duties put in front of me.”

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Briana Thibodeaux:

“I have lived in Alaska for 11 years. I grew up in a military family, which has enhanced my ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others. I enjoy the Alaska State Fair and I am involved in my community, especially with Anchorage youth.”

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D’ nayla Alston:

“With my emotional intelligence, community involvement, and love for all things Alaska, I can show our community the best of our fair and what it’s like to make memories here. I want to represent our state fair by sharing the amazing opportunities and traditions to everyone in our wonderful state. I wish to fulfill this opportunity and go beyond expectations.”

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Emilee Bartman:

“I believe I would make a wonderful Alaska State Fair Queen and Cultural Ambassador. I love Alaska with my whole soul. I want my son to see the beauty in Alaska and its people as I do. I enjoy speaking with people about many things, but Alaska is always a type on heart and head.”

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Hannah Noble:

“I am Alaska, I am proud of our state, I believe beauty is in the eye of the beholder. We aren’t all cookie cutter. I embrace all the beauty around me. I’m bilingual in Yupik, I love Alaska and all it offers.”

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Samantha Wanner:

“I should be the next Alaska State Fair Queen because I would love the ability to represent this beautiful state. Alaska is my home, and I am so proud to be a part of these communities here. Being the Alaska State Fair Queen would give myself the platform to strengthen my outreach into continuing to make our home state so great. This opportunity to serve Alaska and be a good-will ambassador is something I have always wanted to pursue.”

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Storm Young:

“With my love for pageantry and community involvement, I could show our state what the fair has to offer. I would invite others to take part in not only the fair, but also next year’s pageant. Also, I loved the West Virginia State fair in my home state, it was always my favorite part of the summer. I made so many great memories there and meet so many amazing people. Now, that I am here in my new home state that is on the other side of the US. I want to continue to spread the laugher and memories that will last a life-time.”

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Tala Ianu:

“No other event symbolizes our great state and who we are as Alaskans quite like the Alaska State Fair. I recognize that as Alaska State Fair Queen I will serve as ambassador to all Alaskans and to the world at large. I am committed to serving at the highest level as State Fair Queen; welcoming all groups, families, and individuals to join us in this annual celebration of who we are as Alaskans.”

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The winners will be selected by a panel of five judges, who will score the candidates on appearance, communication, community involvement, resume, Fair costume and introduction, and a “My Fair Memory” presentation.

Interviews, which are closed to the public, take place on August 19. The August 23 coronation event, which is open to the public, will include the candidates’ costume, introduction and Fair memory presentation, as well as the crowning of the royal court and announcement of the People’s Choice recipient.

In addition to the Fair Queen and two princesses, judges will also name a cultural ambassador, who is of Alaska Native descent. The queen and members of the royal court will represent the Fair and share the Fair experience with Alaskans and visitors at events throughout the year.

Learn more about the Fair Queen contest and vote for your favorite candidate on our website!

Sold out concerts, record-breaking fundraiser point to successful year

Palmer, Alaska – Attendance numbers aren’t the only measure of success for the 2017 Alaska State Fair, which took place August 24 – September 4 at the fairgrounds in Palmer. Sold out concerts, a record-breaking fundraiser, and increases in advance ticket sales all point toward another successful year for Alaska’s largest annual event.

While estimated and paid attendance were down 3.59 percent and 2.75 percent, respectively, from 2016, the fairgoers who attended came to enjoy everything the Fair had to offer. Both the Josh Turner and Doobie Brothers concerts sold out, as did all three of the All Star Monster Trucks shows.

The slight decrease in attendance was perhaps a reflection of Alaska’s economic uncertainty, as was the increase in fairgoers taking advantage of available discounts. Sales of advance admission tickets – which offered discounts up to 30 percent – were up by 5.5 percent. Meanwhile, attendance on $2 Buck Thursday – when admission was just $2 between noon and 2 p.m. – was up 29 percent.

Fairgoers were generous when it came to supporting local 4-H youth. For the second year in a row, a record amount was raised at the 4-H Junior Market Livestock Auction. The auction set a record last year, bringing in a total of $214,312.50. Supporters helped set another record this year, when 94 livestock animals were auctioned for a total of $221,000.

“Rain or shine, every day was a beautiful day at the 2017 Alaska State Fair,” said Jerome Hertel, Fair general manager. “Memories were made, friendships were formed and an annual tradition lives on.”

“Thank you to everyone who attended the 2017 Alaska State Fair, brought friends or family and made it ‘Better Together.’ We hope you had a wonderful time and invite you back again next year to help us celebrate the people, traditions and culture of Alaska.”

The 2018 Alaska State Fair will take place August 23 – September 3.

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The 97 youth who participated in this year’s 4-H Junior Market Livestock Auction at the Alaska State Fair were richly rewarded for all their hard work. There were more than 180 registered attendees at the auction, which raised a total of $210,681!

A total of 146 different businesses and individuals gave anywhere from $20 to $17,000 during the auction, by either purchasing an animal or making an “add on” donation to a specific student after the high bid was announced or at the end of the auction.

Young beef was the most popular with auction-goers, bringing in $8,220, followed by beef at $7,581 and swine at $3,300. Also featured at the auction were lamb, goat, turkey, chickens and pheasants.

The youth, many of whom raised their animals from birth, receive the majority of the proceeds, which they often pour back into raising an animal for the next year’s auction. 4-H receives a small portion of the funds to support the program.

This year marked the 40th anniversary of the 4-H Junior Market Livestock Auction, which took place September 5 in Farm Exhibits on the fairgrounds. In addition to the auction itself, there was a preview of animals, live music by the Colony High School Jazz Band, and raffle drawings.

Read more about this year’s auction and some of this year’s youth participants on the Fair blog!

 The 2017 Alaska State Fair Poster by Katie Sevigny

Souvenirs and prints will be available soon.

Crepes De Paris

Welcome Ghenadie and Marina Trocin, owners of a new food booth at the Alaska State Fair, Crêpes De Paris! Ghenadie and Marina were born and raised in The Republic of Moldova in Chisinau City but have called Girdwood, Alaska home since 2014. From their travels all over Europe they decided to bring a taste of Paris to Alaska with traditional hand crafted French Crêpes. They will be offering Sweet or Savory Crepes, made from scratch! Check them out on the Green Trail Food Booths across from the Main Office.

 
Check out the Full Food Guide >>

Hey, Alaskans 50+! What type of events would you like to see at the Alaska State Fair on AARP Day, Tuesday, August 29. Give us ideas on something that we’ve never had at the Fair before or even a bucket list item!

Fair Annual Meeting Recap

Prizes and Election Results

Palmer, Alaska – The 2017 Alaska State Fair, Inc. annual membership meeting took place last week at Raven Hall on the fairgrounds, with approximately 50 Fair members and interested supporters in attendance.

The main item of business was the election of three members to the Fair’s seven-member board of directors. From a ballot of five candidates, including two incumbents, Fair members voted to reelect incumbents Kristy Bernier of Palmer and Danny Consenstein of Anchorage and elected its newest board member, Jason Ortiz of Palmer.  Bernier, Consenstein and Ortiz will each serve a three-year term on the board.

Several lucky Fair members also went home with door prizes, including a 2017 concert ticket package, Fair season pass, a family fun pack, a monster truck ticket package, a Mighty Matanuska Brewfest ticket package, and a Whittier fishing trip for two.

For more information, contact Dean Phipps, Fair director of marketing and communications, at [email protected] or 907.746.7153.

(Palmer, AK) – The McCollum and Pinkelman families of Delta Junction have been selected by the Alaska agriculture community as the 2017 Alaska State Fair Farm Family of the Year. They will be honored at the Alaska State Fair on Thursday, August 24.

Doug and Cathie McCollum and their daughter and son-in-law Jeannie and Russ Pinkelman operate both their farm, Northwest Land & Livestock, and their processing plant, Delta Meat & Sausage, Inc. The farm began in 1984, when Doug and Cathie purchased 17 heifers and a Galloway Bull from a farm in South Dakota. Today they raise between 400 and 500 head of Galloway/Angus cattle and 350 pigs. Delta Meat & Sausage, Inc. was established in 1997, and is a full-service slaughter and meat processing facility. They market beef, pork, buffalo, yak, elk and reindeer from local farmer, and process specialty game from local big game hunters.

The McCollums have lived in Alaska for 49 years, and currently three generations of the family work on their farm in Delta Junction. Doug and Russ work on the farm, with Doug doing the mechanical maintenance and Russ managing the livestock and building. Cathie and Jeannie run the plant, and Doug and Cathie’s grandchildren Quinn and Lincoln help with chores on the farm. They also hire part-time help. Their future farming plans are to continue business as usual, and to maintain the quality that the local communities have been getting from them for years.

While not working their businesses, both families sponsor many local non-profit kid’s events, little league, youth hockey, and local 4-H kids. The families say they love farming because they love the soil, the fresh air, the animals, and the satisfaction that at the end of the day you have worked hard and have a sense of accomplishment. “It’s doing something that we love to do, and being able to make a successful business from our hard-earned endeavors,” Jeannie said.

The Farm Family of the Year award, sponsored by the Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union, was established by the Alaska State Fair in 2000 to honor an Alaska farming family and show appreciation for all the hardworking Alaskans committed to agriculture. After reviewing nominations, an awards committee chaired by the Alaska Division of Agriculture selects the winning family based on production of quality Alaska Grown products, community and agricultural organization involvement, and overall image.

“Alaskan agriculture is an endeavor that takes a lot of hard work, perseverance and dedication. Due to our isolated location and our short growing season, many aspects of agriculture here take unusual measures and creative thinking.  To that end, we congratulate all the Alaskan farmers and especially the McCollum and Pinkelman families of Delta Junction,” said Jerome Hertel, the fair’s general manager.

Recent Farm Family of the Year winners include the Plagerman Family of Scott Plagerman Farms (2016), the Pettit Family of Little Pitchfork Ranch (2015), and the Williams Family of EagleSong Family Peony Farm (2014).

CONTACT:  Johanna Herron, 907-761-3870, [email protected]

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STAY CONNECTED:

DNR Newsroom: http://dnr.alaska.gov/commis/dnr_newsroom.htm

DNR on Social Media:  http://dnr.alaska.gov/commis/social_media.htm

DNR Public Information Center: http://dnr.alaska.gov/commis/pic/

On Friday, December 9th at 6pm at the Borealis Theatre on the Fairgrounds.

Public parking at Purple Gate.

A public candelight Vigil of Hope and Prayer for David Grunwald at the Alaska State Fairgrounds in the Borealis Theatre. David’s parents, Ben and Edie have requested this time for our community to come together and begin the healing through fellowship, support and prayer. At the end of the ceremony, 100 floating lanterns will be given out to be released simultaneously in memory of David.
There will be a small heated tent available, but please dress warmly and be prepared to stand outside. For any questions, please contact Gina Spangler at 907-315-2043.

Click here to view this event on Facebook.

The Alaska State Fair celebrated our 80^th birthday at the 2016 event, which took place August 25 – September 5 at the fairgrounds in Palmer. Here are some of our favorite highlights from 2016:

Attendance. An estimated 293,424 people came to help the Fair celebrate in 2016. This was down from 299,698 last year, but on par with the 293,827 fairgoers in 2014. Following the historical trend, Saturday was the most popular day to visit, with attendance of 19,064 on the first Saturday and 22,337 the second.

AT&T Concert Series. A total of 26,294 music-lovers attended the AT&T Concert Series this year, compared to 31,986 attendees last year. Of those, 5,150 fairgoers attended the rapper G-Eazy concert, making it the most popular performance, followed by The Band Perry and Volbeat.

Commemorative quilt raffle. In celebration of our 80^th birthday, we raffled off a commemorative Fair quilt, with all proceeds benefiting the Fair scholarship fund. The raffle brought in $3,990 for Fair scholarships. Those funds, combined with the proceeds from the Concert Kick-Off Party and Cabbage Classic lottery, will allow us to triple our 2017 scholarship award amount! Read more

Record-breaking 4-H Junior Market Livestock Auction. This year’s livestock auction brought in $214,312.50, setting a new record for the 41-year-old event. The new record was set even with 16 fewer bidders and 17 fewer youth participants. Read more

Setting new state records. After pursuing the state record for five years, Dale Marshall finally broke it with his 1,469-pound entry in the Midnight Sun Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off this year, beating the previous state pumpkin record by 180 pounds. Five other new state records were set at the 2016 Fair. Read more

Exhibit entries across Alaska and beyond. A total of 8,719 entries came in from across the state, as well as 33 from outside Alaska. Flowers and crops continued to be the two most popular categories, with 2,066 and 1,501 entries respectively. See exhibits results

Giant fun at Cabbage Weigh-Off. Steve Hubacek once again took first place in the Giant Cabbage Weigh-Off, claiming the title with his 83.4-pound entry. Hubacek bested Brian Shunskis’ second-place, 66.05-pounder and Keevan Dinkel’s 63.15-pound cabbage, which took third place. Read more

Monster-sized fun. After a 16-year hiatus, monster trucks returned to the Fair, drawing sell-out crowds to the Grandstand. The All Star Monster Truck Tour made its debut at the 2016 Fair, with 5,327 fairgoers attending.

Recycling. Dedicated volunteers collected 34,829 pounds, or 17.3 tons, of recyclable material, including plastics, cardboard, mixed/office and newspaper, aluminum, steel cans and glass. This was almost identical to the 34,953 pounds collected last year.

Educating our youth. In a continued demonstration of the Fair’s commitment to combining entertainment and education, a total of 2,335 students in grades kindergarten to fifth grade participated in Fair educational programs this year. More than 700 students were on the waiting list for this popular program.

Don’t miss out on the fun next year! Mark your calendar for the 2017 Fair, which will take place August 24 – September 4. And be sure to stay in touch with us throughout the year on our website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube!