In Palmer, a busy scene as workers prepare for the return of the Alaska State Fair

Updated: August 19, 2021 Published: August 19, 2021

An aerial view of the Alaska State Fair, photographed on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021 in Palmer. (Loren Holmes / ADN)

Vendors and construction workers are busy getting ready for the Alaska State Fair, which was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year the fair has been expanded to 14 days in order to spread out fair crowds, according to marketing manager Melissa Keefe.

“We are anticipating just as many fairgoers as normal,” said Keefe. “We all missed out on the 2020 fair, so everyone’s excited to be back.”

Amber Lopez, left, gets help moving an epoxy river table to her booth on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021 at the Alaska State Fair in Palmer. (Loren Holmes / ADN)

More than 400 vendors will be at the fair this year, including five new food vendors. In addition, the 2021 fair will debut a new permanent roller coaster, the Aftershock, which Keefe says is Alaska’s largest roller coaster.

The fair opens Friday, Aug. 20 and runs through Sept. 6. The fair will be closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to allow for additional cleaning. For more information visit alaskastatefair.org.