The 2022 Alaska State Fair took place earlier this summer from August 19 – September 5 at the fairgrounds in Palmer. This year’s fair attendance, according to a press release, was really strong and is expected to be higher than 2021. While the official numbers are still being finalized, AT&T Concert Series ticket sales sold 4,100 more tickets than last year. Alaska’s most popular concert venue had packed performances by Rise Against, Brothers Osborne and Barenaked Ladies, and near sell-outs for Shaggy and Common Kings, CAAMP, TobyMac, and Lauren Daigle.
Jerome Hertel, Fair CEO:
“When the weather is warm and sunny, there is no better place to be than the Alaska State Fair. When the weather is wet and cold, there is still no better place to be than the Alaska State Fair. Thank you all for showing up at the Fair this year. We look forward to seeing you again next year.”
The Demolition Derby was packed as well as tickets being sold out for all three All Star Monster Trucks shows as well. The Champions Tour Rodeo drew more than 300 participants and ran an hour over its scheduled time.
The 4-H Junior Market Livestock Auction returned to the Fair this year, setting yet another record with proceeds of $419,957 from the sale of 91 animals. The 2022 fundraising total is more than triple what the event raised 10 years ago.
Alaska growers set several records of their own at the 2022 Fair. New state records were made for beet (root length), bunching (green) onion, bunching onion, fennel, ginger root, strawberry, tomato (plant length) and garlic. Dale Marshall of Anchorage also set a new state record with his 2,147-pound entry in the 16th Alaska’s Midnight Sun Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off.
Recycling diverted 46.8 tons of aluminum, plastic, paper, steel and cardboard from the landfill during the 2022 Fair, far surpassing last year’s total of 28.7 tons. Additionally, as part of special day admission incentives, fairgoers donated 5,600 pounds of food and $2,540 in cash donations to support the Mat-Su Food Bank.
In a nod to the Fair’s agricultural roots, the Alaska 2022 Farm Family of the Year was recognized on opening day of the Fair. This year’s title was awarded to Martha Merry, Amy Seitz and Jane Conway, owner-operators of Lancashire Farm in Soldotna.
Next year’s Alaska State Fair is scheduled for August 18 – September 4, 2023.