<p>This thread inspired me to spend yesterday at our local fair, which has been the subject of a National Geographic article and a documentary film ([The-Grange-Fair-An-American-Tradition</a> - Trailer - Cast - Showtimes - NYTimes.com](<a href=“Movie Reviews - The New York Times”>Movie Reviews - The New York Times)). It is one of the few (perhaps the only) old-fashioned tenting fairs still in existence in the US. There are close to a thousand permanent platform tents on the fairgronds and every year families move in for the week, hauling in living room furnishings, setting up full kitchens and often adding extravagant (often kitschy) theme decorations. Tents are passed down through the generations; at most one or two becomes available each year to a “newcomer” (who has undoubtedly been on the waiting list for twenty years or more). Everyone knows their neighbors, with multiple generations hanging out at every tent (living spaces are expanded out onto front porch/patio areas) and the high point of the fair for many people is catching up with old friends and family members (including out-of-staters who come back every year for the fair). There are also 1000+ RVs contributing to the overnight fair population. It is a reminder that traditionally the fairs were an opportunity for farm families to relax and have some fun between the busy planting and harvesting seasons.</p>
<p>High points of the fair for me were seeing that my favorite farmers’ market vendor took home several Best In Show ribbons, fresh peach dumplings with cinnamon ice cream and seeing the 4-H kids napping in the stalls with their calves. :)</p>
<p>Going to NY State Fair on Wednesday, if I am not still on storm duty 
Have gone for years, and both my kids have both worked and exhibited in the 4-H building. Where else can you see the Cake Boss AND Bruno Mars, on the same day, for free? </p>
<p>It will be bittersweet this year since the gentleman who would do all the announcing during the fair for years and years has passed…it will be strange not to hear his voice letting me know when the dairy judging is going to start.</p>
<p>I grew up in Northern Minnesota and absolutely loved to go “to the Cities” to go to the Minnesota State Fair. I still love that fair. (I haven’t ever been to the Ohio State Fair.) So interesting to read about Grange Fairs.</p>
<p>Due to our geographic diversity, we have four named state fairs here in Alaska. Over the years my wife, daughter and I have been able to visit three of them.</p>
<p>The largest by far (although “largest” may be a laughable concept to someone visiting from Outside!) is the Alaska State Fair in Palmer. It has the usual assortment of rides, cotton candy and Iditaburgers (made from beef, just beef, no dog!), along with 1,300-lbs. pumpkins and 127-lbs. cabbages and the like, a Carrhart fashion show and displays of 101 uses for duct tape. There are performers like Charlie Daniels, Foghat and today I believe Garrison Keilor’s “A Prairie Home Companion” was performed and recorded for broadcast (maybe) at a later date.</p>
<p>The Kenai Peninsula State Fair is held down in Ninilchik and is a wonderful beehive of activity! Though very small in scope, the fair has the flavor of something from my childhood, when everything felt exciting and new. Performances are by local artists, there are produce and other food exhibits, horses to see and barn-door halibuts on ice to be amazed by. </p>
<p>The state fair in Fairbanks is formally known as the Tanana Valley State Fair and was one we attended for several years when we lived in North Pole. There’s again the standard mix of rides and goodies to eat, and highlights that I recall included a backhoe rodeo and a caribou parade.</p>
<p>The state fair in southeast Alaska at Haines is the only one we’ve never attended. Since there are no roads to Haines or points SE, it would only be convenient to attend if we happened to be down that way, and we haven’t during fair time. But I’m told by friends that the fair can be a rollicking bout of fun! This year’s schedule shows the group “The Fishpickers” headlining.</p>
<p>There are other areas in Alaska that host strictly regional fairs and label them “state fairs,” so I don’t want to shortchange their offerings. Kodiak has a “State Fair and Rodeo,” while Girdwood has a “Forest Fair.” Eagle River near my home has a “Bear Paw Festival.” In all, wonderful events to attend to mark summer’s end and (for the kids) a return to school!</p>