The official theme of this year’s Southeast Alaska State Fair was “Spirit of Southeast.” But perhaps it should have been something like ‘Exceeding Expectations.’
The clouds parted and the rain held off over the weekend for the 48th –annual fair. Top-notch music, rides, exhibits, contests and, of course, the food exceeded organizers’ expectations.
“It went great,” says fair director Jessica Edwards. “The weather held out, which we were all really surprised about. People had a great time. The music was wonderful, the programs were great, the contests were well attended and well participated, and we just had a great fair.”
Edwards said she learns something every year. A highlight for her was getting to spend part of Saturday afternoon riding the train and playing games with her daughter.
“From the staff perspective, Saturday was the smoothest Saturday we’ve ever had,” she said. “And that just is really nice because at that point in the event, you’re pretty tired and when things just come together, you get a little euphoric about it.”
This weekend saw hundreds and hundreds of people taking in all the sights and sounds – and food – over four days.
Songs from the Southeast
Bands and solo acts from all over Southeast and beyond took to multiple stages, keeping the crowds dancing and singing along.
One of the most anticipated musical acts was actually made up of four brand new bands. After a week of furious song writing, lessons and rehearsals, the young women of Girls Rock Camp fame took center stage on Saturday.
The four bands, called The Shadow Drifters, The 907 Rockers, Last Minute, and Fear the FluffStars!, were made up of mostly rookie rockers. All the songs were original works and, for the most part, the girls got to pick their own instruments.
Nora Prisciandaro of Haines was in the band Last Minute. The group’s song was called “Overcome.”
“It was about how you get up on your bad days that you have,” she said.
She already had some experience with the guitar, and wanted to continue the path to becoming a guitarist. The best part of the weeklong camp was making new friends, Prisciandaro said. And writing a song from scratch.
Abigail Tidlow-Tranel of Skagway was the bassist and singer for Fear the FluffStars. The FluffStars sang a tune called “Somewhere,” about an eagle taking flight. Tidlow-Tranel said writing the song was challenging, but she already looks forward to next year.
Director and Rock Camp founder Monica Lettner said the week and the final performances went better than expected. So good, in fact, that she’s hoping to double the number of participants next year from 20 to 40.
Lettner told the crowd on Saturday afternoon that the girls learned to overcome fears, develop friendships and become empowered to, well, to rock out.
“We talk about how to support each and how to not buy into the stereotype that girls have to mean to each other, or catty with each other,” Lettner said. “We learn how to support. We learn how to celebrate each other’s strengths, and all of these smiles and beautiful works of art prove it.”
She said the highlight for her was seeing the progress throughout the week.
“Having campers that were really, really scared on the first day, come through in the end and absolutely love their instrument, love their teacher and love their band and performance,” Lettner said. “That to me is the biggest success, when they’re positive and they’re feeling confident. It doesn’t matter what I think, it matters what they think when they walk off that stage.”
This year’s more established musical acts were an eclectic mix of rock, country, reggae … you name it, really.
Speaking of fair sounds, kids laughing, crying and squealing with delight could be heard wherever you chose to roam. The Ferris Wheel, as always, was a big hit with the little ones.
Pigs enjoy attention
Past the carousel, the train stop, and the line of carnival games, was the barn. Mud and Charlie, two young, huge pigs were enjoying the attention on Friday.
“These are just homegrown, backyard pigs,” their owner Cristy Wright said, who thinks everbody needs some pigs.
Fair treats
For many, the music and happy kids, rides and animals are great, but what really gets people excited is the plethora of once-a-year fair food.
Judith McDermaid has been to 22 state fairs in Haines.
“This is the only time you can get corn on the cob that is fresh and sweet and juicy,” she said. “They always have something new. I go for the old stays, like pulled-pork sandwiches and burgers. Fair food! I mean cotton candy and kettle corn … it’s once a year. It’s so good!”
In case you want to plan for next year, the tentative dates for the 2017 Southeast Alaska State Fair are July 27-30.
