Contributed by Randi Perlman
All of us have had to make adjustments and tough decisions during these past few months. Proprietors have had to change the way they do business, or not do business at all for now; parents have had to become teachers, and learn to enjoy family life 24/7, 7 days a week; non-profit organizations have had to get creative with fundraising so they can continue to provide their needed services.
One of the non-profits faced with an extremely difficult decision that would have an enormous impact on not only the Mat-Su Valley, but on the entire state of Alaska and beyond, is the Alaska State Fair (ASF). Beloved by thousands of locals and visitors from around the world who travel here just to partake in the Fair, the ASF is a deep-rooted tradition begun by the early farming Colonists that settled the Matanuska Valley in 1935. In its present location since 1967, the Fair has something fun and fabulous for everyone, of any age. Whether it’s the exhibits, the vendor booths, the entertainment, the events, the gardens, the setting, or of course, the food, the Fair is like a magnet that attracts folks from far and wide, and once you’re drawn in, it becomes an annual addiction! At least, that’s how it’s been for me.
I experienced the magic of Alaska, and the State Fair, during my first visit here from the east coast in 1990, and I was immediately hooked on both. I returned every year until I finally made the permanent move in 1998. The Fair takes place right around my birthday, and has become the gift I give myself each August. Whether it’s to volunteer at one of the booths, to work at one of the gates selling tickets, or to just meander through the crowds enjoying all the sights, sounds, & smells, I spend as many days as possible at the fairgrounds. Vendors often ask which booth I’m taking a break from because they see my face there so many times...J
The COVID-19 pandemic we’re living through has changed all of our lives in some way. Thanks to the quick actions of our governmental and healthcare leaders, and to Alaskans themselves for following the mandates, our great state has seen relatively low numbers of cases and deaths from this fast-spreading virus. But that’s just it – it is still around, and still spreading. As we enter the summer season, and people from ‘outside’ continue to enter Alaska, we have seen a noticeable spike in coronavirus cases. Nobody knows for sure how this will play out as time goes on, or when a vaccine will be available to all. Due to this continuing uncertainty, and with an overabundance of caution for the wellbeing of all their guests, the Alaska State Fair has been cancelled for the first time since 1942, during World War II.
Aside from the general all-around disappointment felt by young and old alike at not having the Fair to look forward to and close out the summer with, there is a direct financial impact to all involved with the Fair. Staff, vendors, suppliers, and countless others rely on the income they receive from the Fair, many of whom are already dealing with financial hardships caused by the pandemic.
As was evidenced by the statement released by the ASF on May 22, 2020, the decision to cancel this year’s Fair was thoroughly considered, difficult to make, and fair for all. The health and welfare of locals and visitors is the utmost responsibility of an organization such as the ASF, and in my humble opinion, I am very pleased, proud and grateful that they made the right decision, based on what is known today, not on how we ALL hope things will be in August.
We will miss the Fair this year, no doubt about it, but we can all look forward to an even bigger, better Fair next year, and be grateful that the right steps were taken to keep us safe so that Alaska can continue to be the state with the fewest cases of coronavirus in the country. Let’s keep the spirit of the Alaska State Fair ALIVE AND WELL!!!
