Last Friday we introduced the Alaska State Fair to you. This huge event, held in farming community of Palmer, features some interesting sights and activities. Last week we took a look at some of the fabulous gigantic produce displayed at the fair. This week we’ll finish with a look at some of the livestock, as well as general activities at the Alaska State Fair.
Most of the animals displayed were 4H projects. Generally, these animals that have been raised by young people which are judged, and many are given awards for how well they did. The animals are auctioned off to the highest bidder, often a community businessperson who then owns the animal and whose money supports the student and the 4H program (many of the animals end up on a dinner table). Overall, it’s a good way to encourage the development of future farmers.
Below are just a few of the animals on display, which ranged from chickens to cattle and horses.
Our visit to the fair coincided with the day the livestock auction was held, and we saw a variety of animals sell, from turkeys to pigs to steers. It was interesting to see how invested these young men and women were in their animals, and how proud they were to win a prize and to see their livestock project sell.
(Auctioneer at the Alaska State Fair)
(Many ribbons waiting to be distributed at the auction)
(Turkey with the girl who raised it and the man who bought it!)
(This young man proudly poses with the turkey he raised and is waiting to sell)
Some people actually arrived at the State Fair on horseback….
There were a few Scottish Highland Cattle hanging out, seeming very comfortable with the cool weather.
There were a lot of things happening at the fair, with a midway and lots of places to shop and buy food.
Kids enjoyed pony and miniature car rides (among many others)….
A variety of food was available for purchase…
Many assorted items were on display, the following being just a representation:
This traditional salmon catching wheel (shown below) is a clever invention. The river’s current turns the wheel, which scoops fish (if they’re there) out of the water and into a storage bin located at the side of a wheel. On a good day, a salmon wheel might catch over a hundred fish. These wheels are still used in Alaska especially by people who run dog sleds. Salmon are the staple food of the Alaska husky who each eat at least one salmon a day.
As Palmer is an agricultural area, there was an assortment of old farm equipment on display…
I thought this old Case tractor shown below was especially great….
Another terrific item was a 1919 Model T truck conversion…
You could easily spent a full day at a fair like this and not see everything. It would be a fun day, and the scenery around you alone would be worth the cost of admission. The lovely mountains of the Chugach range shown below, with some of the homes in Palmer in the foreground.
