12 highlights of the Alaska State Fair’s first weekend

The 2024 Alaska State Fair opens Friday in Palmer. The fair runs until Sept. 2 but takes Tuesday and Wednesday off each week.

The fair has all of the old favorites — great food, vendors, exhibits and more — but fairgoers can typically find new ventures each year as well. Last year, general fair parking was waived, a trend that will extend into 2024. And this year, the popular Alaska State Fair train returns for the first time since 2019.

There are Special Days sponsored by a number of groups and organizations. Many of the days offer discounts to various groups, such as military members, and package discounts are also available.

Here are 12 things worth checking out in the first weekend of the Alaska State Fair, plus information on the major acts performing each night at the Borealis Theatre’s main stage.

Friday

Cirque Ma’Ceo: 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. at Yellow Trail Lawn

The show features horses and humans in this equestrian-themed Cirque show. It’s a blend of acrobatics, aerial and dance. The show is free but $10 tickets will be available for a guaranteed spot up front. The show will be performed every day until Sept. 2.

Brad’s World Reptiles & Glow Zone: 1 p.m., 4 p.m. 7 p.m. at Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union Kid Zone.

This experience features live reptiles, amphibians and other exotic species from around the world. The Glow Zone also showcases bioluminescent fish from Alaska Coral & Fish.

Paul Isaak: 12:30 p.m., 3 p.m. at Global Credit Union Bluebonnet Stage

A “seriously funny” juggler, Isaak’s show is a roller-coaster ride of comedy, with stunts such as juggling flaming torches, and shaving with a flying machete.

Scarecrow Contest: 1 p.m. at Alaska’s News Source Corral

Teams use provided supplies to build a scarecrow before time runs out. Their creations will be judged on creativity, originality and fitting in with the year’s theme, with prizes and a ribbon for winners.

Rodeo Alaska Junior Alaska: 6 p.m. at MTA Grandstand

Junior high and high school students compete in stick-horse barrel racing, goat ribbon pull, junior barrel racing, pole bending and even steer riding.

Saturday

Tanzanite African Acrobats: Noon, 1:30 p.m., 4 p.m., 6:30 p.m. at Alyeska Pipeline Colony Stage

The show features “choreographed routines involving fast pyramid building, limbo, contortion, bottle-balancing, chair stacks and hand balancing all set to African beats.”

Fred Scheer’s Lumberjack Show: 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 6 p.m. at SBS Woodlot

World-champion lumberjacks battle it out, but there’s a comedy element to the show that should keep audiences entertained. The show is every day of the fair at three time slots.

Princess Diana Exhibition: 8 a.m. ongoing every day

This exhibit features more than 75 famous photographs and custom art installations paired with dozens of stories from Diana’s official royal photographer, Anwar Hussein, and his sons.

Sunday

Duct Tape Contest: 2 p.m. at SBS Woodlot

Each contestant has 15 minutes to create a masterpiece. Competitors can also bring a premade creation from home. Prizes in both the on-site and premade divisions and anyone can enter.

Alaska Dogs Gone Wild: 2 p.m. at Alaska’s News Source Corral

Alaska dogs face off in flyball, which was invented in California in the 1970s and is a team sport for dogs, a cross between a relay and a hurdle race. Each race has two teams with four dogs apiece.

Monday

Magic by Robbie: 12:30 p.m. at Alyeska Pipeline Colony Stage

Robbie is a magician who is billed as amazing, amusing, astounding and confusing. He also performs on Friday at 12:30 p.m. at the same venue. He’ll also be roaming the fairgrounds performing each day starting at 11 a.m.

Ladies of the Pacific: Noon, 3:30 p.m. at The Gathering Place; 2:30 p.m. at Alyeska Pipeline Colony Stage

Cultural dances from this Anchorage academy, which attempts to preserve and enhance Pacific Island culture through dancing.

This week’s main stage Borealis Theatre concerts

• Friday: English pop singer Natasha Bedingfield opens the state fair, performing the first night. Bedingfield sold more than 10 million albums and earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 2007. Concert at 7 p.m.; doors open 5:30 p.m.; tickets cost $59 for reserved seating/$49 for lawn seating.

• Saturday: Justin Moore brings the first dose of country music to the 2024 fair. The Arkansas singer-songwriter has notched double-digit No. 1 hits, including “We Didn’t Have Much,” “The Ones That Didn’t Make It Back Home” and “Why We Drink.” Concert at 7 p.m.; doors open 5:30 p.m.; tickets cost $69/$59.

• Sunday: Straight No Chaser is an a cappella group, but that doesn’t mean they’re traditional. They bring a modern sensibility to the genre and have collaborated with artists like Paul McCartney, Elton John and Stevie Wonder. Concert at 6 p.m.; doors open 4:30 p.m.; tickets cost $69/$39.

• Monday: Philadelphia indie rockers Mt. Joy formed less than a decade ago but have already amassed a fervent fanbase. The quintet has a No. 1 hit and has performed on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and “Late Night with Seth Meyers.” Concert at 7 p.m.; doors open 5:30 p.m.; tickets cost $69/$49.