Alaska State Fair
The Alaska State Fair has been the Last Frontier’s biggest annual event for more than 80 years. Thousands of people flock to the Alaska State Fair each year to enjoy themselves and celebrate before the long winter sets in, and they have plenty to see and do. There are carnival rides, games and contests, and many of the food booths were built by a local artisan five decades ago. Popular attractions include lumberjack shows and seafood competitions, but the biggest crowds gather to watch the giant cabbage weigh off. In 2009, the winning cabbage weighed a gargantuan 127 pounds.
ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT
Hundreds of vendors attend the Alaska State Fair to offer local delicacies and handmade craft items. There are several carnival rides to enjoy, and there are farm and livestock exhibits. You can watch monster trucks duke it out at the Alaska State Fair, or you could watch chainsaw sculptors create masterpieces from logs and tree stumps. There is also an animatronic Age of the Dinosaurs exhibit that teaches kids of all ages about the prehistoric creatures that once called Alaska home. If you would prefer to encounter live critters, you can visit a reptile exhibit and get up close and personal with amphibians and lizards of all shapes and sizes. Some of them even glow in the dark.
A wristband will allow you to enjoy all of the rides and attractions, and there are special discount days for veterans, first responders and kids. If you pay for your wristbands online, you will save a few bucks.
ON-SITE AMENITIES
The Alaska State Fair goes all out to make sure that visitors have a good time. There are plenty of food and beverage vendors, and you can also bring in your own cooler. Your cooler will be checked at the gate because you can’t bring alcohol in, but there are “wet” areas in the fairgrounds where alcohol is served. You will be able to use your mobile electronic devices while you enjoy the attractions because free Wi-Fi is available, and there are nine ATMs on the site. There is also a security building where you can report a problem or reunite with a lost child. You can bring wheelchairs and strollers to the fair, or you can rent them when you arrive. You can also rent electric scooters and wagons.
LOCATION
2075 Glenn Hwy. Palmer, Alaska 99654
Palmer is located 42 miles from Anchorage, 11 miles from Wasilla and 129 miles from Hope.
LINEUP
When the sun goes down, you can enjoy premium entertainment in the Borealis Theater. Artists booked for the 2025 event include Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Weird Al Yankovic, Chris Tomlin, Billy Currington, 3 Doors Down, and Foreigner.
RVING AT THE EVENT
You won’t have to walk far to enjoy everything the Alaska State Fair has to offer because RV parking and tent camping is available right on the fairgrounds. Prices have not been announced yet, but they will probably be in line with the 2024 rates. In 2024, daily parking cost $25, a daily RV permit cost $20 and a daily tent permit cost $5. The event’s camping area does not offer water, electricity or a dump station, and pets are not permitted. You also won’t be able to make a fire or use a barbecue. If you would prefer an RV parking and camping facility that offers more amenities, there are some great Palmer RV campgrounds just a short drive away.
Mountain View RV Park is a popular choice because it's located just three miles east of Palmer and offers incredible views of Matanuska Peak. There are hiking trails nearby, and many moose wander the property. The campground offers pull-thru sites with 30-amp service and full hookups, and there are on-site bathrooms, showers and laundry facilities.
The Big Bear RV Park & Campground offers back-in and pull-thru sites with 30- or 50-amp hookups. The sites are up to 75 feet long, so you should have plenty of room. Every site has a picnic table and a fire ring, and the amenities include a TV lounge and a playground. Prices range from $26 to $30 per day.
WHERE TO STAY
Palmer is a quiet rural community in the Mat-Su Valley. Nearby lodging options include comfortable motels, quaint bed and breakfasts and historic lodges. This is an area of outstanding natural beauty, so you should have a great experience wherever you decide to stay.
The Alaska Glacier Lodge offers a lot more than comfortable rooms and great views. You can go dog sledding or take a helicopter tour, and you can enjoy al fresco food and cocktails at the Raven’s Perch Bar & Grill.
If you are looking for a home away from home in the Alaskan wilderness, Peak Lodging Alaska could be the perfect choice. There are three spacious cabins to choose from, and they all have full kitchens and offer amazing views of the Chugach Mountains.
Located in Wasilla and just a short drive from the fairgrounds, Lake Lucille Bed & Breakfast offers its guests charming rooms and serene lake and mountain views.
HOW TO GET THERE
The closest major airport to Palmer is Anchorage International. From the airport, you will take W. International Airport Road to AK-1N to get to the fairgrounds. The trip should take no more than an hour. You can also catch a Fair Train at the Alaska Railroad Anchorage Depot that will take you straight to the fairgrounds. If you will be staying in a local hotel and don’t want to deal with parking, you can take a bus operated by Valley Transit to the fairgrounds.
PARKING
Premier parking permits for the Alaska State Fair cost $25, and they will become available on July 31. Visitors used to be able to pay for parking permits online and download and print them at home, but they must now be purchased at the Pass Office. Parking permits don't include fairgrounds admission, and re-entry to the lots is not allowed. Handicapped parking is available in the Yellow, Red and Purple lots, which are the closest lots to the fairgrounds.
TICKETS & PRICING
Tickets for the Alaska State Fair can be purchased at the door or online. If you decide to buy your tickets online before Aug. 15, you will pay $16 for adult admission and $11 for youth or senior admission.
WRAP UP
The Alaska State Fair provides an opportunity to experience an incredible part of the country and learn about its people, animals, and culture. Visiting the fair in an RV could be a perfect vacation, but be sure to plan your trip in advance. For more information about the Alaska State Fair, you can connect with the event on Facebook.
Please note, this is not the official source of the event information. While we try to be as comprehensive as possible, some details may have changed since the time this article was written. Please confirm final details with the official event page .
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