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What to check out at the Alaska State Fair’s second weekend

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What to check out at the Alaska State Fair’s second weekend


The second weekend of the Alaska State Fair is upon us with lots of fun on tap. Thursday is AARP Day and admission is just $3 between 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday is Kids’ Day, and kids 12 and under get in free. Family Day is Saturday, so kids 12 and under get a $2 discount. A donation of two shelf-stable food items is encouraged for those enjoying the special days.

There’s plenty of music, rides, food and much more to enjoy. Here’s a look at some of the highlights, plus information on the main stage Borealis Theatre concerts.

Thursday

Cowboy Olympics Noon at the Events Tent

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This family-friendly event is an opportunity to play cowboy games and try some cornhole, horseshoes and roping.

Baby Goat Yoga 4 p.m. at Alaska’s News Source Corral

Open to ages 10 and up, yoga doesn’t get any better than this with baby goats trying their best to get some cuddles.

Midnight Sun Cloggers 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Alyeska Pipeline Colony Stage

This all-female dance team is sure to make some noise with an entertaining clogging routine.

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Friday

Diaper Derby & Toddler Trot 1 p.m. at Alaska’s News Source Corral

These fun races are open for kids ages 6 months to 4 years with prizes for all age categories. Sign-ups start at 12:30 p.m. with races at 1 p.m.

Kids’ Day Games 2 p.m. at Alaska’s News Source Corral

Kids’ Day continues with plenty of games and races for prizes. Open for ages 5-9, there are classics like the wheelbarrow race, frog jump, potato sack race and doughnut eating.

Just For Kids Cookie Contest 7 p.m. at Hoskins Exhibits

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The Cabbage Fairies judge this contest. It’s open to kids age 5-12 with one entry per child. Cookies should be based on this year’s theme, “Enjoy the Ride.”

Saturday

Canine Stars 1:30 p.m./3:30 p.m./5:30 p.m./7 p.m. at Alaska News Source Corral

This team of mostly rescued dogs soars in an extreme stunt dog show, which includes agility racing, high jump, freestyle frisbee disc, dancing dogs, and dock diving.

Mullet Mania 4 p.m. at SBS Woodlot

Prepare for a business-in-the-front, party-in-the-back mullet contest. Categories include “Mini Mullet” for ages 0-12, “Speed-Trap Mullet” for ages 13-21, “Neck Warmer Mullet” for ages 21 and over, “The Shullet” for women of all ages, and the “Silver Fox” — must have grey or silver hair.

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Rodeo Alaska Champions Tour 2 p.m. at Grandstand

The top cowboys and cowgirls from Alaska and contestants from all over the Northwest compete for more than $30,000. Tickets are $17 for 13 and up and $12 for kids 6-12.

Sunday

Alaska Seafood Throwdown 12:30 p.m./2 :30 pm/4:30 p.m.

Alaskan chefs do battle in the Throwdown using Alaska seafood. Stop by to sample their creations and place your people’s choice vote.

Pack Goat Demonstrations Noon/2 p.m./4 p.m. at Craig Taylor Farm Exhibits

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If you’re interested in using pack goats for hunting or hiking, this is a stop to make at the Fair.

Monday

18th Annual Alaska Midnight Sun Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off 2 p.m. at Craig Taylor Farm Exhibits

One of the most anticipated events takes place Monday afternoon as an Alaska grower may break the current state record of 2,147 pounds. Entries are processed from 11 a.m. –1 p.m. and the weigh-off begins at 2 p.m.

Horse Costume Contest 5 p.m. at the Rance Equestrian Center

Horses are dressed to look their best with a variety of fun and interesting costumes.

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Sankofa Dance Theatre 3:30/4:30 p.m. at Alyeska Pipeline Colony Stage

Traditional African songs and dance from Sankofa Dance Theatre. The word “Sankofa” is derived from the Twi language of Ghana, and means “Go back and fetch it.”

This week’s main stage Borealis Theatre concerts

Thursday: Country music superstar Wynonna Judd kicks off the second weekend of concerts at the Alaska State Fair. Judd is in the Country Music Hall of Fame and is a five-time Grammy Award winner. Concert at 7 p.m.; doors open 5:30 p.m.; tickets cost $89 for reserved seating/$49 for lawn seating.

Friday/Sunday: The most popular man at the Fair appears to be Ludacris. The hip-hop legend’s first announced show at the fair sold out within a day, prompting a second date that sold out just as quickly.

Saturday: Launched by the sister-brother duo of Lzzy and Arejay Hale, Halestorm has evolved into a best-selling rock quartet. Lzzy Hale became the first female to earn a Grammy in the Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance category in 2013. Concert at 7 p.m.; doors open 5:30 p.m.; tickets cost $69 for reserved seating/$59 for lawn seating.

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Monday: NEEDTOBREATHE is the final act during the second weekend of the fair, bringing an alt-rock vibe. The Grammy-nominated rock band has more than 2 billion career streams across all platforms. Concert at 7 p.m.; doors open 5:30 p.m.; tickets cost $79 for reserved seating/$45 for lawn seating.





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Alaska

Alaska Supreme Court to take up case on Dan J. Sullivan, decision expected by Tuesday

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Alaska Supreme Court to take up case on Dan J. Sullivan, decision expected by Tuesday


JUNEAU, Alaska (KTUU) – The Supreme Court of Alaska will be taking up the case of the State of Alaska, Division of Elections v. Daniel J. Sullivan, Jr.

The oral arguments will be held Monday at 10 a.m. via Zoom, according to an order and opening notice.

The document also specifies that a decision is expected to be made before noon on Tuesday.

According to documents from the Division of Elections, the state must start printing ballots at noon on the same day.

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This comes after an Anchorage Superior Court Judge ordered Dan J. Sullivan on to the ballot Friday.

See a spelling or grammar error? Report it to web@ktuu.com

Copyright 2026 KTUU. All rights reserved.



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Mat-Su Initial Attack Responding to Fire in Flat Lake

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Mat-Su Initial Attack Responding to Fire in Flat Lake


An engine and firefighters from the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection’s Mat-Su Area are responding to a fire near Flat Lake.

A caller reported a fire on an island in Flat Lake, with 2 foot flame lengths and structures near by.

The engine crew responding will be shuttled by boat to the fire. The fire is currently reported as .1 acre, creeping and smoldering.

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Additional updates will be shared as they become available.

‹ Pioneer Peak Hotshots, Gannett Glacier Crew Join Fight Against 2 Fires Near Ruby

Categories: Active Wildland Fire

Tags: #FireYear2026 #2026AKFIRESEASON, 2026 Alaska Fire Season



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Opinion: Alaska’s $10,000 question: Leave or stay?

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Opinion: Alaska’s ,000 question: Leave or stay?


A new home under construction in Potter Valley in Anchorage. (Loren Holmes / ADN)

This June, two very different offers reach Alaska families, and both amount to the same thing: $10,000. The difference is everything.

Bill Walker, running for governor, would hand every eligible Alaskan a one-time $10,000 check and then end the Permanent Fund dividend for good. Ask one question: Where does his $10,000 come from?

It comes from the Permanent Fund, the people’s own money and the savings Alaskans built for their children. Walker would spend that endowment once to pay Alaskans to give up the yearly dividend forever.

Think about what that does. It cancels the annual check that gives a family a reason to keep an Alaska address and replaces it with a single payout. You hand people their own savings, call it a gift and cut the tie that held them here in the same motion. It is the oldest mistake in governing money: raid what you have saved to buy a moment’s applause and call the spending generosity.

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A plan that spends the people’s savings to send the people away is not bold. It is foolish.

Now consider the other $10,000. Through Alaska Housing Finance Corp., the state offers families up to $10,000 to build a new, energy-efficient home. AHFC raids nothing. It earns its own way. Over the years, it has returned more than $2 billion to the state treasury, and it spends some of that income the way any good business does: to win a customer.

Here, the customer is an Alaskan who wants to own a home, put down roots and stay.

That is the oldest sound move in business: Invest a little of what you earn to bring in someone who stays. The homeowner remains, the community gains a family and the corporation keeps earning. The money spent comes back. A plan that puts earnings to work to bring people home is not charity. It is clever.

Same amount. Opposite source. Opposite wisdom. One spends savings; the other spends earnings. One pays Alaskans to leave; the other pays them to stay. One empties the state; the other fills it.

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This Homeownership Month, the choice is the size of a single check, and the whole question is where the check comes from and what it asks of you. Ten thousand dollars of your own fund, to wave you goodbye. Or $10,000, earned and reinvested, to help you stay and build.

Evan Swensen is the publisher of Publication Consultants in Anchorage and the author of “What’s the Money For: A Permanent Fund Mortgage Proposal.”

• • •

The Anchorage Daily News welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a piece for consideration, email commentary(at)adn.com. Send submissions shorter than 200 words to letters@adn.com or click here to submit via any web browser. Read our full guidelines for letters and commentaries here.





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