Tanana Valley State Fair opens Friday with new concerts, play space and parking fee

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTUU/KTVF) - The Tanana Valley State Fair opens Friday, July 31 with a new nightly concert series, a dedicated play area for young children and a $3 parking fee — changes organizers say are a direct response to growing crowds.

New entertainment and attractions

Lilli Wilcher, operations manager for the Tanana Valley State Fair Association, said expanded entertainment has been a key factor in rising attendance.

“I think our entertainment’s really been stepping up,” Wilcher said. “We’ve been bringing more out-of-state acts as well as static shows.”

This year’s lineup includes the Birdman, described as a Las Vegas act featured on the Discovery Channel, who will perform a live wild bird show featuring eagles and raptors. The fair will also feature stilt walkers, a hockey circus stunt show with flaming hockey sticks and acrobats.

A new nightly closeout concert series will run free at the Usibelli Stage, which is also being renovated to expand viewer participation. “This year we are introducing a closeout concert series, which means almost every night of the fair there will be a free concert up at the Usibelli Stage, newly revamped,” Wilcher said.

Tiny Town and other additions

A new free play space called Tiny Town will offer toddlers and young children a dedicated area separate from the midway.

“I think it’s just gonna be what the families need for just taking a break away from the hustle and bustle of the midway before you’re ready to go back,” Wilcher said.

The fair will also feature over 200 vendors — local, out-of-state and international. Two beer gardens will be on-site, one full-service and one featuring local craft brew.

Parking fee and volunteer options

To manage increased traffic, the fair is implementing a $3 per-vehicle parking fee Thursday through Saturday. Attendants will be on-site to direct vehicles.

“We have been so blessed to see an uptick in attendance the last couple years in full lots and we’re just trying to keep up with that,” Wilcher said. “So we appreciate everyone’s grace and patience.”

Visitors can avoid the parking fee by volunteering. One three-hour shift earns free gate admission and free parking for the day. Wilcher said sign-ups are still open.

“We rely on over 1,000 volunteers to maintain our gates and the parking lot, especially this year,” she said. “It’s never too late to volunteer.”

The fair runs July 31 through Aug. 9 across its 100-acre fairgrounds. Gates open at noon Friday.

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