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By Jo Anne Wold Every day the work hours get longer for the office staff and ground crews at the Tanana Val ley Fairgrounds where the 40th annual Fair opens next Wednes day. It takes a lot of getting ready for an estimated 50,000 visitors. Mrs. Janet Baird, fair manager for the past seven years, saw the fair attendance practically dou ble last year. The figure for 1970 was 44,000. With the Fair scheduled for five days, instead of the usual four, it is very likely the attend ance will reach 50,000. ‘There is one big “‘if.” That is, if the weather cooperates. Four days of hot, sunny, get-up-and go weather enticed the record c rowd last year. Always optimistic Mrs. Baird said, “Even if the weather isn’t good, the exhibits and special event programs are indoors, so people can still enjoy the Fair.” Under Mrs. Baird’s direction the Tanana Valley Fair is operat ing in the black. Last year out of the $20,000 in gate receipts, $12,000 was put back into the Fair for improvements. ‘The Tanana Valley Fair, as well as other Fairs in the state, receives $10,000 in matching funds from the state on a con tinuing basis. Also, last year the Tanana Valley Fair received a $50,000 state grant for capital improvements. Some of the improvements fairgoers will see this year are a log cabin ticket booth, expanded parking lot offering 40 per cent more parking area, newly com pleted restrooms, a public drink ing fountain, a new bandstand, a new addition to the barn, and outdoor display booths for veg etables and rabbits. “In the event of a parking lot permission Fish and Game to use part of their property for emergency This year prize money to be given away at the Fair was in creased $1,000 to bring the grand total to $7,000 which will be put out in cash money prizes, ribbons and trophies. Last year an estimated 1,500 exhibitors brought 5,200 indi vidual items to the Fair. “It takes ‘a lot of planning and organiza tion to handle that,” Mrs. Baird mats on Wednesday, the opening day of the fair, the commercial exhibits and rides will open at DB a.m. There will be an official ribbon cutting ceremony at noon, followed by a hot air bal loon ascension by Stan Zielinski at 6 p.m. This year, as in the past, the deadline for Fair exhibit entries is Thursday noon, with judging to take place in the afternoon. “People on the grounds will be able to observe the judging pro cedure,” Mrs. Baird said. “For those who wish to se the ex hibits complete with ribbons, should visit the grounds after the Thursday afternoon judg ‘With Tanana Valley Fair ad mission fees a very reasonable $1 for adults; 50 cents for chil dren, and children under five, free, people will want to spend more than one day at the Fair. ‘Season tickets for the five days are: $2.50, adults; $1.25, chil dren; and $7.60 for families, Friday, which is Pepsi Day at the Fair, features a 50 per cent reduction on admission and rides for those who have Pepsi coupons available at neighbor hood grocery stores. In addition to the Fair’s an nual horse show, rodeo, live stock judging, talent show, Har vest Queen Pageant, battle of the bands, and teen dances, there will be the headline entertain ment attraction — Wes Harrison. Harrison, called Mr. Sound Effects, does impersonations and works with electronic gear in his one-man show. “He puts on a good family show,” Mrs. Baird said. Harrison is coming to Fairbanks before his engagement at the Minnesota State Fair. Mr. Sound Effects will give two shows daily at the Fair, Wednesday through Sunday. New exhibit divisions at the Fair this year include Teen Time for 13 to 19-year-olds to show posters, pop art, and hand craft jewelry. Culinary Capers is open to men and women who want to make their favorite casserole or salad on the spot. In the clothing division there will be a new kind of fashion show with entrants judged on how the garment they sewed fits, rather than judged on sew ing workmanship. ‘As always a big focal point of the Fair is the bake off with a new gas stove from Petrolane as the top prize. Look for lots of competitive sport activities for young people — minibike races, horseshoe pitching, the demolition derby, and timber cutting contest. “We have concessions galore,” Mrs. Baird said. “There will be everything from hot dogs, cotton candy, popcorn, and food to throw the ball, rifle range and pitch penny.” All in all the 40th Annual Tanana Valley Fair, “Progress Through People,” is shaping up to be another record making af fair. Officers of the Tanana Valley Fair Association are Frank Stow man, president; Mark Worcester, vice president; Fran Chauvin, secretary; Rudy Domke, treas urer; and board members Jim Harding, Nilo Koponen, Glen Bouton, and Dennis Cook. Abstainer: A weak person who yields to the temptation of denying himself a pleasure. Abrose Bierce. ‘A special attraction at the Tanana Valley Fair this year will be a historical exhibit commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Fair. The Fair opens next Wednesday and continues through Sunday at the fairgrounds on College Road. The above picture shows the fair in 1914.
Newspaper Details
Fairbanks Pioneer All Alaska Weekly
Fairbanks, Alaska, US
Fri, Aug 06, 1971
Page 5
Full Page
Clipped by
Erika B.
USA 27 May 2026
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