The 2024 Alaska State Fair kicks off!

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The Alaska State Fair is back, and it starts Friday, Aug. 16.

This year’s fair promises to deliver the staples that fair-goers have come to expect: food, vendors, concerts and entertainment. And who doesn’t love the rides?!

Chase Eckert is in charge of safety and operations for the Golden Wheel Amusements, the carnival company manning dozens of attractions at this year’s fair, including the brand new Four-by-Fun, a dune buggy ride for the kids.

“We expect to move a lot of patrons in the next couple weeks,” Eckert said. “We’re excited. The weather is fantastic.

“We get the energy here once the gates open,” he continued. “We just want to fill the rides, so we’re happy to be here.”

He says their motto is “Safer is Funner” and the rides are ready to handle the 400,000 people expected to come by over the next two weeks.

“Everything’s good,” Eckert explained. “We have many departments and outside inspectors that are helping me to make sure that the rides and our facilities are safe.”

Previewing the Alaska State Fair with John Thompson

Across from the carnival is a vendor who’s been at it for 40 years. Marian Romano’s Potato Palace has been serving dressed-up spuds to hungry folks since the business’ inception.

“If you ask us in the beginning [of the fair], we’re very excited ... you ask us on the last day, we’re like, ‘We’re never doing this again, I swear!’” Romano said. “And then on day two, it’s like, ‘Oh, there’s my fair muscles.’”

Romano says she enjoys talking with the fairgoers she’s come to know over the decades. At the same time, when it comes to what she looks forward to most at the fair, it’s working with her family.

“Both blood and non-blood,” she said. “It’s the best. It’s like 14 days with your family.

“And as they’re not babies anymore, it’s hard to be with them, but they’re here,” she added. “Little ones, the big ones, and when they’re old enough, they work; when they’re little, they sleep in potato boxes.”

Chad Carpenter, comic strip creator and artist, says he enjoys the atmosphere and stunning beauty of the Palmer fairgrounds. He’s also made quite a few friends in his 33 years with a fair booth.

“I love this fair,” Carpenter said. “I love being able to talk to so many people from all over the world. Actually, it’s amazing how many people aren’t just from the area. They’re from all over the country.”

There will be plenty to enjoy, from endless entertainment to animal exhibits and large vegetables.

Alaska State Fair CEO ‘couldn’t be more happy’ as fair gets underway

In an interview Thursday, CEO Jeff Curtis mentioned two new attractions.

“We got the new Cirque Ma’Ceo tent out ... which is out on the yellow trail which is a fantastic equestrian art circus, it’s brand new. Princess Diana, an exhibit to her life, her legacy, in the Don Sheldon building,” Curtis said.

The fair is open from Aug. 16 through Sept. 2, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. most days. The fair is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with gates closing at 8 p.m. on Labor Day.

Parking for a car or truck is free this year, with separate daily and weekly rates for RV and tent camping.

For more information, visit AlaskaStateFair.com.