Friday 4 September
Presented by: AARP Alaska
YOUNG AT HEART Day
Come and join AARP Alaska’s Mat-Su Community Action Volunteer Team for an exciting day at the Alaska State Fair! We’re celebrating the 90th anniversary of the signing of the Social Security Act. Enjoy playing Plinko for a chance to win prizes, and if you’re 18 or older, you might even win a baseball or bat signed by the MatSu Miners! It’s all about cabbage today! Will they break a world or state record? Witness the spectacle of the 29th Annual Giant Cabbage Weigh-Off presented by Alaska Division of Agriculture and Alaska Grown in the Craig Taylor Farm Exhibit building, where the heaviest cabbage takes home the prize and maybe a world record. Check out the archery show with Sara Twister at the Alyeska Pipeline Colony Stage and Purple Plaza as she combines amazing contortionist moves with precision archery. Explore the future at the Mat-Su Technical Education Showcase in the Event Hall. Feel the adrenaline rush at the Demo Derby in the MTA Grandstands, where powerful machines clash in a thrilling display of force presented by True North Recovery.
| Event | Venue | Date | Description | |
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| Birch Tree Tapping |
| Learn to milk a tree for a sweet treat with Julie Cascio. |
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| Twiggy the Water Skiing Squirrel | Alaska News Source Corral |
| Meet Twiggy, the world’s most famous aquatic squirrel! This pint-sized performer delights audiences as she zips across the water on tiny skis, showcasing incredible balance, speed, and charm. This show will provide unforgettable entertainment for the whole family! |
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| Scott's Future of Magic | Alyeska Pipeline Colony Stage |
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| Tim Hall | Alyeska Pipeline Colony Stage |
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| Thunderbird Ukulele | Alyeska Pipeline Colony Stage |
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| New! Drone Show | Around the Grounds |
| The biggest drone show in the state is coming to the Fair! Look to the west to view a visually stunning display of drones in the night sky |
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| Patriot Ranger | Around the Grounds |
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| Twisted Sister featuring Sabastian Bach | ConocoPhillips Borealis Theatre |
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| Crops Exhibits | Craig Taylor Farm Exhibits |
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| Fair Feathered Friends | Craig Taylor Farm Exhibits |
| Daily | 11am – 8pm It all starts with an egg! Visit the Poultry Education Area and see the adorable baby chicks. Sponsored by Raven Homeschool
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| Max Sherrod Junior Cabbage Grower’s Award | Craig Taylor Farm Exhibits |
| Sponsored by Alaska Farm BureauPre-Registration is required by August 31, 2026 Prizes will be awarded 1st $250, 2nd $150, 3rd $100
For more info contact Lara Stanley at 907-746-7167 or [email protected] |
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| 30th Annual Giant Cabbage Weigh-Off | Craig Taylor Farm Exhibits |
| Two world records have already been set at our Fair – will one of these giants gain Guinness status again this year? Come see who will take home the big prizes (over $2,000 in cash awards!) and the bragging rights in the 30th annual weigh-off. Plus, cheer on the big efforts of our littlest growers in the Junior Cabbage Grower Division. Pre-Registration is required by August 27, 2026 | Download 2026 Cabbage Registration or register online below. Cash Prizes
1st $1000 |
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| Cabbage Limerick Contest | Craig Taylor Farm Exhibits |
| Cabbage Limerick ContestEnter your limerick online: https://bit.ly/cabbagelimerick2026 Entries due by 11:59pm on September 1st, 2026. Entries must be received online. Winners will be announced at the 30th Annual Giant Cabbage Weigh-Off on September 4th (Starts at 6 PM), and also by email. First place: $100 Contest Guidelines a. Does the entry must meet the definition of a limerick (rhyming scheme “AABBA”)? https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Limerick. b. Does the limerick support the spirit of the Alaska State Fair Giant Cabbage Weigh-Off? – Two entries maximum per person. Sponsored by: Questions? Contact [email protected]
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| 4-H Large Livestock Showmanship | Craig Taylor Farm Exhibits |
| Showmanship judging continues through 4pm |
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| GCI Petting Zoo | Craig Taylor Farm Exhibits |
| Grab your camera and head to the GCI Petting Zoo for your dose of adorable! Pet baby goats, piglets, sheep, and more, all raised and shared with you by local families! Open daily in the Craig Taylor Equipment Farm Exhibits from 11am-8pm! Presented by GCI
Daily | 11am – 8 pm
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| Sudsy's Barn | Craig Taylor Farm Exhibits |
| Hand-washing has never been this much fun! Teach your kids good hygiene while having a good time at Sudsy’s Barn™, a play-based, interactive hand-washing station located in Farm Exhibits. Open During Fair Hours. |
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| Cretaceous Kingdom | Don Sheldon Events Center |
| Transport back to the age of giants! This thrilling prehistoric dinosaur adventure combines the excitement of realistic animatronic creatures, natural history fossils and wacky science fun to create a full-on, hands-on, interactive and memorable experience! |
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| Alaska Balloon Bandits | France Equestrian Center |
| Mounted Shooting Demonstration presented by Misty Mountain Training! |
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| Trio 25 | Global Credit Union Bluebonnet Stage |
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| Aaron Radatz | Global Credit Union Bluebonnet Stage |
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| Making Sauerkraut | Hoskins Exhibits |
| Make cabbage into a healthy sour supper with Julie Cascio. |
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| Book Marks | Hoskins Exhibits |
| Save your place with a free homemade souvenir with Sherry Carrington. |
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| Ceramics/Pottery Demonstration | Hoskins Exhibits |
| Everyday at 1pmCome see & learn! Experts make bowls, cups, vases & more. We love sharing our craft with you! |
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| Cold Pork Cabbage Sandwiches | Hoskins Exhibits |
| Yummy good eats with Alison Fiscus. |
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| Quilting, Sewing, Handwork & Needlework, Ceramics & Pottery, Fiber & Fleece, and Creative Art with Woodworking | Irwin Exhibits |
| Open All DayCome see & learn! We love sharing our craft with you! |
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| People’s Choice Club Photo Contest | June Tull 4-H Building |
| Help choose the fan favorite! View creative 4-H club photo entries and cast your vote for the People’s Choice winner.
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| 4-H Exhibits & Cooperative Extension Resources | June Tull 4-H Building |
| Explore 4-H projects from across the Mat-Su/Copper River and Anchorage 4-H programs, and learn how Cooperative Extension connects Alaskans with practical, research-based education.
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| Cow Milking Demo with Kerri Stoltenberg | Milking Parlor in the Farm Exhibits |
| See a sweet cow, give sweet milk! |
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| Goat Milking Demo with Kaichen McRae | Milking Parlor in the Farm Exhibits |
| Daily at 5pm
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| Pirates for Hire | MTA Grandstand |
| Get ready for an action-packed performance, complete with cutlass fighting, pistol firing and breakaway bottles from this award-winning, laugh-inducing, pirate-themed entertainment troupe! |
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| Demolition Derby | MTA Grandstand |
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Loud. Exciting. Even a little dangerous. You’ll experience it all at the 2026 demolition derby, as drivers compete to see whose vehicle can withstand the most destruction! Order of classes for the Demo show: – Full-size heat – Midsize – Minivan/SUV/small/truck – Full-size LCQ/consolation – Compact – Full-size feature Want to participate?Email [email protected]Participation entry fee is $100 Total guaranteed purse will exceed $10,000Each car includes 1 driver and 1 pit crew pass. Additional Pit passes will be $75 and are limited. Large cars will pay top 5 finishers and Mad Dog will pay $1,000. Compact, midsize and minivan/SUV/small truck class will pay top 3 places. Compact cars will be ran between the LCQ/loser heat and the Main Feature/Finale. Best Painted/Themed car (large or compact) will receive $500. This is a Ticketed EventFriday, September 4 | 5pm/* Header Date Styles */ .ticketed-event-header { text-align: center; color: #1e293b; font-weight: 700; font-size: 1.6rem; margin: 30px 0 15px 0; } /* Base Grid Structure - Automatically splits 3 items cleanly */ .ticket-pricing-grid { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr); gap: 20px; width: 100%; max-width: 1000px; margin: 0 auto 40px auto; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, sans-serif; } /* Individual Card Styling */ .ticket-card { background: #ffffff; border: 1px solid #e2e8f0; border-radius: 12px; padding: 30px 20px; text-align: center; box-shadow: 0 4px 6px -1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05), 0 2px 4px -1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.03); display: flex; flex-direction: column; justify-content: space-between; transition: transform 0.2s ease, box-shadow 0.2s ease; } .ticket-card:hover { transform: translateY(-4px); box-shadow: 0 10px 15px -3px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); } /* Highlight styling for Free tier */ .highlight-card { border-color: #cbd5e1; background: #f8fafc; } /* Typography Layout */ .ticket-header h3 { margin: 0; font-size: 1.3rem; color: #1e293b; font-weight: 700; } .ticket-header .age-bracket { display: block; font-size: 0.9rem; color: #64748b; margin-top: 4px; } .ticket-price { font-size: 2.75rem; font-weight: 800; color: #0f172a; margin: 25px 0; } /* Responsive Button Customizations */ .ticket-btn { display: block; background: linear-gradient(90deg, #2e4c90 0%, #1790d2 100%); color: #ffffff !important; text-decoration: none; padding: 12px 24px; font-weight: 600; font-size: 0.95rem; border-radius: 8px; transition: background-color 0.2s ease; } .ticket-btn:hover { background: linear-gradient(90deg, #c43a2d 0%, #9c2b1b 100%); color: #ffffff !important; } /* Passive Info Badge for Free Tier Container Alignment */ .ticket-badge { display: block; background: #e2e8f0; color: #475569; padding: 12px 24px; font-weight: 600; font-size: 0.95rem; border-radius: 8px; } /* Tablet Layout (2 Columns or stacked) */ @media (max-width: 992px) { .ticket-pricing-grid { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); } /* Push the 3rd card to center below if layout wraps */ .ticket-pricing-grid .ticket-card:last-child { grid-column: span 2; max-width: 50%; margin: 0 auto; width: 100%; } } /* Mobile Layout (1 Column) */ @media (max-width: 580px) { .ticket-pricing-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: 15px; } .ticket-pricing-grid .ticket-card:last-child { grid-column: auto; max-width: 100%; } .ticket-price { margin: 15px 0; } } |
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| Shot Time | Multiple Venues |
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| Junosmile | Multiple Venues |
| With their 40+ years combined experience, veteran musicians Joseph and Jessy Martens deliver originals, like those off their brand new album, Happy Trails, as well as unique interpretations on new classics and old favorites, ranging from rock and folk to country and bluegrass. |
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| Magic by Robbie | Multiple Venues |
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| Lisa Good & Friends | Multiple Venues |
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| Scott Helle | Multiple Venues |
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| Good Times | Multiple Venues |
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| Sweet Pow | Multiple Venues |
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| Rye, the STRA | Multiple Venues |
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| Mark Brown & the Blues Crew | Multiple Venues |
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| Nothin' But Trouble | Multiple Venues |
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| Glacier Blues Band | Multiple Venues |
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| Marc Brown and the Blues Crew | Multiple Venues |
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| Da Good Ol' Good Ones | Multiple Venues |
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| Big Tim & Tall Order | Multiple Venues |
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| MSBSD Career and Technical Education Showcase | MVFCU Event Hall |
| Explore robotics, an interactive broadcast simulator and learn about opportunities like Girls Who Code at this educational, hands-on showcase for students! |
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| Brad's World Reptiles & Glow Zone | MVFCU Kid Zone |
| Daily | 11am – 9pm Daily Shows | 1, 4 & 7pm Learn about some of our planet’s most beautiful and fascinating animals, with live reptiles, amphibians and other exotic species from around the world! Don’t miss the Glow Zone featuring bioluminescent fish from Alaska Coral & Fish, LLC. |
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| King BMX Stunt Show | Purple Plaza |
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| Tina Scheer's Lumberjack Show | SBS Woodlot |
| Daily at 1, 3 & 6 pm Watch world-champion lumberjacks battle it out in the “Olympics of the Forest,” while comedy routines keep everyone laughing. |
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| Great Alaska Beard Contest | SBS Woodlot |
| There’s gold in that-there beard! Division champs & the overall winner, aka Mr. Sourdough, will take home cash, prizes and bragging rights. Can I touch your beard please? Sign ups at 1:30pm in the Woodlot. Contest begins at 2pm! Categories: Urban Alaskan: For those who like their facial hair, but like it neat, trimmed and groomed. This can include: beard, goatee, chin curtain, side bars, etc (with or without moustache). Because it is trimmed, the design should fit the face it’s worn on Soup Strainer: For those with a Moustache only. Moustache can be long, short, waxed, curled, etc. These men may or may not like shaving, but they would not shave this Man Accessory off. Homesteader: For those with a full beard, with our without a moustache. This category is for Alaskan’s who love a full beard. Some may be long, some may be shorter. Mr. Sourdough: Open to the winners of the three previous categories. This title and grand prize is awarded to the man with the greatest Facial Hair in the Last Frontier. |
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| KonneXion | Sluicebox |
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| Nervis Rex | Sluicebox |
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| Nick Hanson | The Gathering Place |
| Alaska’s beloved Eskimo Ninja Warrior returns to share demonstrations and tips with aspiring ninjas! |
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| Naa Luudisk Gwaii Yatx'i | The Gathering Place |
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| Chickaloonies | The Gathering Place |
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| Alaska Native Youth Olympics with Bernard Clark & Nick Hanson | The Gathering Place |
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| Voyage of the Alaska Union | Wineck Barn |
| Mr. Whitekeys tells the unlikely story of 80 greenhorns from Chicago who set out to strike it rich in Alaska in 1898, with recently discovered photos taken 120-years ago. |
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| Senior Joke & Story Telling | Wineck Barn |
| 🎤 Senior Joke & Storytelling Contest 🎤 A lifetime of stories, wisdom, and punchlines comes together for an afternoon of laughter and entertainment! Hear hilarious jokes, memorable tales, and true-life adventures as our senior contestants compete for prizes and bragging rights. Sign-ups begin at 3:30 PM in the Winneck Barn. Come enjoy the laughs and discover why the best stories only get better with age! |
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| Antique Tractor Pull & Display | Yellow Trail Lawn |
| Daily at 3pm View these carefully restored antique tractors on display, then watch as they’re put to the test! |
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