Top 10 Can’t-Miss Things at the 2017 Fair

One of the top questions we get asked is, “What’s new at the Fair this year?!” With that in mind, we’ve compiled our top 10 list of can’t-miss events, features and attractions at the 2017 Alaska State Fair! Things change, so be sure to visit our website and check out the daily schedule for details and the most up-to-date information.

1. World of Music. Every year, we bring an exciting, high-quality, entertaining and educational exhibit to the Don Sheldon Events Center – and this year is no different! This year we are excited to present the World of Music, an interactive exhibit featuring instruments from around the world, educational programming including live animal talks starring parrots, mammals and other animals making their own music of nature, plus listening pods and educational stations. The exhibit is open daily throughout the Fair, with multiple shows daily.

2. New food booth. Crêpes De Paris is the latest addition to the Fair food line-up! Owners Ghenadie and Marina Trocin hail from Chisinau City in the Republic of Moldova but have called Girdwood home since 2014. They say their travels through Europe inspired them to bring a taste of Paris to Alaska through traditional handcrafted French crêpes. Sample their sweet or savory crêpes at their booth on the Green Trail across from the Main Office. Check out our 2017 Fair food guide for information on all of this year’s food vendors.

3. Cheers and Beers, A Toast to Alaska’s Finest Craft Beer. Join us at the Aaron Watson concert pre-party, featuring local brews from breweries across the state. Purchase taste tickets at the door for $1 each. After you’ve chosen your favorite brew, you can fill a commemorative mug with your choice of beverage for $20. (Supplies are limited, so come early!) Fairgoers going to the Aaron Watson concert can show their ticket to receive five free samples! For fairgoers ages 21+ with valid ID. August 29, 4 – 7 p.m., Borealis Plaza Tent.

4. Silent Disco. Slip on a set of sleek, glowing headphones and dance to your own beat at the Fair’s first-ever silent disco! Boogie down August 31, September 1 and September 2 at 8:30 p.m. at the Borealis Plaza Tent. Powered by Silent Events, the company that brought silent discos to Bonnaroo, Vans Warped Tour, and X Games.

5. Loop Rawlins Wild West Act. Loop Rawlings’ unique Wild West act of trick roping, whip cracking and fancy gun spinning has thrilled thousands of audiences, from the stage of NBC’s America’s Got Talent to Cirque Du Soleil on the Las Vegas strip. He’ll be performing daily at the Alyeska Pipeline Colony Stage. View the daily schedule for details.

6. Meet Daniel Tiger and Clifford the Big Red Dog. Daniel Tiger, star of PBS’ Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, and Clifford of PBS’ Clifford the Big Red Dog are coming to the Fair! Young fans can say “hi” to Daniel Tiger at daily meet and greets August 24 – 29, and give Clifford a scratch behind the ears at meet and greets August 30 – September 4. Clifford will also join the Kids’ Dance Parties on August 31, September 1 and 2! See the daily schedule for time and location details.

7. Social Media Takeovers. For the first time, we’re bringing together six Alaska social media influencers to take over the Alaska State Fair Instagram account! Takeovers are popular activities on social networks where well-known personalities “take over” an account for the day. Scheduled takeovers are:

• August 25: Erin Kirkland/AK on the Go
• August 26: Scott McMurren/Alaska Travelgram
• August 27: Mikey Huff/Akela Collective
• August 31: Laura Sampson/Little House Big Alaska
• September: 1 Adam Legg/LeggLife
• September 3: Angela Gonzalez/Athabascan Woman

Keep up with the takeovers by following our official Instagram account @officialalaskastatefair or follow the hashtag #AKFairFun on Instagram or Twitter!

8. The Last Bandoleros. Described as “Los Lobos meet The Monkees,” this Tex-Mex/pop-rock outfit is an “Artist to Watch,” according to Rolling Stone, while Entertainment Weekly lists them as one of their “Breaking Big” artists. Catch them at the Sluicebox August 26 and 27.

9. Fastest Fish Slayer and the Eskimo Ninja Warrior. There are a lot of exciting things going on at The Gathering Place this year, and one event you will not want to miss is an appearance by the Eskimo Ninja Warrior Nick Hanson and Marjorie Tahbone, who took silver in the fish-cutting competition at the 2017 World Eskimo-Indian Olympics! September 4, 2 p.m., Dena’ Stage at The Gathering Place. 

10. Plan My Day. There are so many fun things to do at the Fair – how can you possibly fit it all in? Our brand new Plan My Day feature on our website will help you create your perfect day at the Fair, and make sure you don’t miss a thing. Simply browse events on the Fair website and click the “add to plan” button to create and share your custom Fair plan!