Here are 10 things to check out this week at the Alaska State Fair

After a two-day hiatus, the Alaska State Fair returns on Thursday and will stay open for several days before another break Tuesday and Wednesday. This weekend should include plenty of family fun with Kids Day on Friday and Family Day on Saturday.

Here are 12 things to check out on the fair’s second weekend.

Friday

Kids 12 and under get free admission. A donation of two shelf-stable food items is encouraged.

• ‘Molly Of Denali’ Meet and Greet, 11:30 a.m., The Gathering Place: Meet the star of the hit PBS show and take a picture with Molly. There is also a meet-and-greet on Saturday at 11:30 a.m.

• Kids Day Games, 2 p.m., Channel 2 and CBS 5 Corral: On Kids Day at the fair, there will be prizes for games like the Frog Jump and a 3-legged race.

• Foam Party, 4 p.m., Channel 2 and CBS 5 Corral: This might be one of the most popular stops for kids and families, with foam and fun for all.

Saturday

Kids 12 and under receive a $2 discount on admission at the gates all day, with a suggested donation of two shelf-stable food items.

• Anchor Of Iron Summer Strongman Showdown, 1 p.m., Channel 2 and CBS 5 Corral: This United States Strongman sanctioned event for both men and women includes a log clean and press for max effort, 18-inch Apollo axle deadlift for reps and a carry event.

• Champions Tour Tough Enough To Wear Pink Rodeo, 2 p.m., MTA Grandstand: Cowboys and cowgirls from all over Alaska will compete in bull riding, barrel racing, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding and team roping. There’s a Sunday rodeo at 2 p.m. as well. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for kids.

• Parent Child Look-Alike Contest, 4:30 p.m., Channel 2 and CBS 5 Corral: Fun to watch and even more fun to participate in, the contest will award prizes to family members with similar clothes, hairstyles and behaviors.

Sunday

• Northern Lights Dancers, Iñupiaq Songs And Dances, 12:30 and 4:30 p.m., The Gathering Place: A great opportunity to check out traditional songs and dances that have been around for centuries.

• Kenai Peninsula Racing Pigs, 1:30, 3:30 and 5:30 p.m., Channel 2 and CBS 5 Corral: A fan favorite for years at the state fair, the races start Sunday — so pull up a chair and watch them fly around the track.

Monday

• 16th Annual Alaska’s Midnight Sun Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off, 2 p.m., Craig Taylor Farm Exhibits: The drama is already starting to build. Will any of this year’s participants break the record of 2,051 pounds set by Anchorage grower Dale Marshall in 2019?

• Ken Peltier: Songs & Memories Of Alaska’s Balladeer Hobo Jim, 7 p.m., The Watering Hole: One of Alaska’s current best voices, Ken Peltier, pays tribute to a historic singer and songwriter. Hobo Jim died last fall, and was known as Alaska’s balladeer.

This week’s main stage Borealis Theatre concerts

• Thursday: Chayce Beckham, “American Idol” champ from the 19th season. Concert at 7 p.m., doors open at 5:30 p.m.; tickets cost $25/$39.

• Friday: Rise Against, Chicago punk band that brings the energy. Concert at 7 p.m., doors open at 5:30 p.m.; tickets cost $49/$65.

• Saturday: LeAnn Rimes, country superstar with over 40 charting singles. Concert at 7 p.m., doors open at 5:30 p.m.; tickets cost $49/$79.

• Sunday: Dry Bar Comedy, family-friendly stand-up comedy show. Performance at 6 p.m., doors open at 4:30 p.m.; tickets cost $19/$25.

• Monday: Darci Lynne, multi-talented singer and ventriloquist. Concert at 7 p.m., doors open at 5:30 p.m.; tickets cost $29/$45.