Competitive Exhibits General Information
Delivering your Entry & Accessing the Fairgrounds
Credentials are not required to enter the Fairgrounds. Entrants drive to the respective exhibit building, enter items, and leave to accommodate others.
Non-Perishable Entries:
Fairgrounds Entry 2026:
Friday, August 7
11 am – 7 pm
Saturday, August 8
11 am – 7 pm
Fairgrounds Pick-up 2026:
Wednesday, September 9
1 pm – 6 pm
Saturday, September 12
1 pm – 6 pm
Perishable & Livestock Entries:
FAIRGROUNDS ENTRY ONLY
1st Entry – 2026
Fair Admission or credentials are not required. Entrants will drive to the respective exhibit building, enter items, and leave to accommodate others.
Baked Goods, Crops, Flowers – 1st Entry
Tuesday, August 25, noon – 9 pm
Rabbits – 1st Entry
Tuesday, August 25, 4 pm – 8 pm
Poultry – 1st Entry
Tuesday, August 25, 4 pm – 8 pm
Honey & Beekeeping Entry
Tuesday, August 25, 2 pm – 8 pm
Open Livestock Entry
Wednesday, August 26, 4 pm – 8 pm
2nd Entry – 2026
2nd Entries will be taken when the Fair is closed. Gate attendants at the Red & Orange Access will allow exhibitors into the fairgrounds. Please inform the gate attendant that you are entering an exhibit.
Baked Goods, Crops, Flowers – 2nd Entry
Tuesday, September 1, noon – 9 pm
Rabbits – 2nd Entry
Tuesday, September 1, 4 pm – 8 pm
Poultry – 2nd Entry
Tuesday, September 1, 4 pm – 8 pm
4-H Livestock Entry
Wednesday, September 2, 3 pm – 7 pm
Department Locations (GUIDES ARE BEING UPDATED FOR 2026)
Hoskins Exhibits
Irwin Exhibits
- View the Giant Fruit & Vegetable Records
- 2025 Competitive Results
- Delivering your Entry & Accessing the Fairgrounds
- Non-Perishable Entries:
- Perishable & Livestock Entries:
- General Entry Information
- Judging
- Ribbons & Premiums
- Competitive Exhibits NOT CURRENT
- Exhibits Special Contest – UPDATING FOR 2026
- Demonstration Program
General Rules & Regulations
Lifetime Exhibit Entrant Numbers are required by all Alaska State Fair Exhibitors. Numbers are available on entry day, or you may call 907-746-7167 before July 1 to obtain one. Previously assigned entrant numbers may be researched on entry day. 4-H entry numbers are not valid for Open Fair competition.
Entry Forms, completed with all information, are required for each individual entry. Forms are available at the fairgrounds on entry day or may be picked up, by anyone entering multiple exhibits, from the Main Office on the fairgrounds.
Retain Yellow Copy Exhibitors receive a yellow copy of the entry form after entry. This must be presented as a claim check to pick up exhibits after the Fair.
No Early Pick Up Allowed Exhibits must remain on display until designated pick-up dates.
Unclaimed Exhibits become the property of Alaska State Fair, Inc., and are disposed of after 30 days unless otherwise arranged for in advance.
General Entry Information
Anyone Can Exhibit Entry is open to all. Entries without entrant contact or mailing information will be automatically disqualified and not judged.
Rejected Exhibits Fair management or Department Superintendent may reject any exhibit offered if it is objectionable in any way, requires excessive space, or if the department capacity is full.
Control and Jurisdiction Once entered, all articles fall entirely under the control and jurisdiction of Fair Management and may not be removed or disturbed by exhibitors until designated pick-up days.
Entry Ownership Entries must be entered under the name of the maker or grower. Livestock, poultry and rabbits must be entered by the current owner.
No Previous Entrys Except for animals and plants, exhibits entered in previous Alaska State Fairs may not be re-entered. An entry deemed as such by a Superintendent or Judge will be disqualified.
Category Entries Exhibitors may only compete in one category per department. For example: Open or Professional. If sub-category is not specified, entry will be classified as Open. Unique rules may prevail in any department.
Improperly Completed Forms may result in disqualification and forfeited awards. Exhibitors are fully responsible for correct entry forms and classes. Superintendents may transfer erroneously entered exhibits to proper classes, and if such classes have been judged, judging will not be reopened.
One Competition Per Entry No entry may compete for more than one premium or be entered in more than one class unless otherwise specified.
The Alaska State Fair, Inc. Board of Directors will interpret these rules and regulations and accompanying entry information.
Mailing Your Entry
Mailed or Freighted Entries will be accepted from non-local exhibitors. When mailing, ensure the following information is sent with entry: full name of entrant & Alaska State Fair Entrant Number (if you have one), mailing address, phone number, email address and the department/division/class to enter item. Using this information, the entry form will be completed, and entry will be processed into the proper department. Entries may be mailed to Alaska State Fair, Attn: Exhibit Department, 2075 Glenn Highway, Palmer, AK 99645. Please mail your entry by July 30th to ensure timely delivery. Instructions for return should also be included with the entry. Ensure you provide return postage, if you wish us to mail entry back. Insurance of mailed items is highly encouraged.
Judging
Judges are Volunteers. They are advised not to award unworthy exhibits. There is no requirement for a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in each class. Judges will ensure they do not judge any exhibit in which there is direct or indirect interest as owner or agent.
The American System of judging shall prevail throughout the exhibit program. Exhibits are judged against each other and placed. Unworthy exhibits will not be awarded ribbons. Therefore, if a single entry is in a class and it is unworthy, no award will be given. Entrants are judged against the immediate participants.
Superintendents Control their departments, subject only to the orders of Fair management. Superintendents may change, combine, or further break down classes and/or divisions at their discretion.
Protests
Protests must be written and accompanied by a $25 deposit which is forfeited if the protest is not sustained. Protest must be received by Fair management within 24 hours after the official opening of the Fair. Protests must plainly state the complaint or appeal. No appeal based upon alleged incompetence of judges will be considered.
Ribbons and premiums (cash prizes) awarded are as follows unless otherwise noted within the department:
1st Place Blue Ribbon – $7.00
2nd Place Red Ribbon – $5.00
3rd Place White Ribbon – $3.00
Premium Checks and Special Awards will be mailed after the end of the Fair. Ribbons may be claimed with exhibits on the Pick Up Dates listed in the department’s guide. Best of Show, Division Champion, and Judges’ Choice rosettes may be awarded, however no premiums are paid for these special honors.
Entrants wishing to have ribbons mailed must submit an appropriate size, self-addressed envelope with adequate postage to:
Alaska State Fair
Exhibit Department
2075 Glenn Highway
Palmer, AK 99645
Competitive Exhibits NOT CURRENT
If you are interested in submitting an entry, please click on the relevant department for more specific entry instructions.
All events and times subject to change.
Exhibits Special Contest – UPDATING FOR 2026
Click on special contests you’d like to enter to find out more information.
19th Annual Alaska Midnight Sun Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off
29th Annual Giant Cabbage Weigh-Off
Appetizer Contest
House of Bread Wasilla “Sourdough Bread Contest”
Max Sherrod Junior Cabbage Grower’s Award
Recycled Yard Art Special Contest
Red, White & Blue Pie Contest
Sweet Gypsy “Cheesecake Contest”
Vagabond Blues Just for Kids Cookie Contest
All events and times subject to change.
Demonstration Program
Come to the Hoskins and Irwin Exhibit Buildings for exciting demonstrations! See quilters, potters, woodworkers, spinners, knitters and other handcrafters in action.
To volunteer in the demonstration program, contact the Exhibits Manager
