Contributed by Randi Perlman
Even while fierce winter winds howl across the Valley, it’s never too early to think fondly about our Alaska State Fair (ASF). Everyone has different reasons for loving the Fair: favorite fair foods we simply MUST have, rides or attractions we enjoy year after year, and certain booths that can’t be passed up, no matter the weather.
Have you ever dreamed of running your own booth at the ASF; of being an integral part of the hustle-bustle and heartbeat of the Fair itself? Well, here’s your opportunity to do just that! The Boardwalk booth has been a fair staple for going on 33 years now. The Hugli family applied for a fair booth while they were still in business as the Boardwalk Restaurant on Knik Goose-Bay Road in Wasilla, back in 1987, and it has been family-owned and operated since then.
The Boardwalk booth started off with Beer Battered Halibut, Fish & Chicken Kabobs, Baked Alaska, and Peanut Butter Cheesecake on a stick. The Hugli’s worked on perfecting their menu for several years. Having a peach orchard in the family prompted them to try getting tree-ripened peaches to Alaska from California. When their attempts were successful, they decided to add fresh peach products to their menu. As demand grew, they had to source peaches from other orchards. The peaches are purchased from a farm on the Columbia River in Washington State. Fair preparation always includes a trip to the farm to pick up over a ton of sweet, ripe peaches and then deliver them to PDX, where Alaska Airlines ships the family and all those peaches up to Alaska! They stay with the peaches from orchard to fair booth to ensure the superior quality and flavor their customers have come to expect…
The most popular menu items include Nana’s fresh peach pie, Peach Odyssey – a fresh peach sundae, and now their most popular dessert, son Jesse’s Fried Peaches, a culinary experience in itself… Lines for these delectable treats, along with their chicken wings in homemade peach BBQ sauce, often block traffic in this heavily-traveled area of the Fair!
After 33 years, much group discussion, and many mixed emotions, the family has decided to move on to other endeavors. The Boardwalk business at the ASF is for sale. It has a perfect location and great exposure on the Green Trail, right across from the always busy carnival rides, and remains in place all year long. Sales have increased annually since 1987.
If you have some business, especially restaurant business experience, have always wanted to be part of the Alaska State Fair, or have dreamed about owning your ‘piece-of-the-pie’, this could be your opportunity of a lifetime. If seriously interested, contact Sheree Hugli at 907.232.2526. Become part of the Fair!
