Alaska News

Summer 2013: Fairs and festivals until the Alaska sun goes down

It goes without saying that summer time is the prime time to take in entertainment in Alaska. All around the state fairs, festivals and get together are going off under the midnight sun.

This summer, so far, has been an exceptional one, making the Alaska fair or festival going experience all the more fantastic. Here's a quick look at the remaining events statewide for the rest of the season, from the end of August through September.

Late August fairs and festivals around the state

Alaska State Fair

When: Thursday, August 22- Monday, Sep. 2

Where: 2075 Glenn Hwy, Palmer, Alaska

Cost: $12 for general adult admission during weekdays, $15 for weekends

What it's about: Giant pumpkins, giant cabbages and giant things of all kinds! The Alaska State Fair is definitely into big things. Check out the epic concert line up here.

More info: Online

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Local Harvest Festival

When: Wednesday, August 28

Where: Alaska Botanical Garden in Anchorage

Cost: Free, but bring a dish to share

What it's about: Community and food. The Anchorage Food Mosaic is hosting this "community-building potluck-style" event to help celebrate the year's delicious bounty of fresh summer food.

More info: Online

Infinite Summer 2013

When: Friday night, August 30

Where: The Tap Root in Anchorage

Cost: $10 in advance, $12 at the door

What it's about: A tribute to the summer of 2013 featuring local music favorites. The line-up includes Emma Hill, Dabarko, Ghost Hands, The Modern Savage and DJ Alex the Lion.

More info: Online

Fungus Fair

When: Labor Day Weekend, Friday, August 30 to Sunday, September 1

Where: the Girdwood Community Room at the Hotel Alyeska in Girdwood, Alaska

Cost: TBA

What it's about: A weekend of presentations and class on center around mushroom picking season. Live music outdoors is also a draw.

More info: Call 907-754-2348 or visit Online

Annual Food Festival

When: Saturday, August 31

Where: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center in Juneau, Alaska

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Cost: Free

What it's about: The goal of the Food Festival is to foster greater food self-sufficiency in Juneau by bringing together consumers, growers, and producers of local foods with the intent of encouraging local sustainability through backyard gardening and small business initiatives.

More info: Online

Tamamta Katurlluta: A Gathering of Native Tradition

When: Friday, August 30 and Saturday, August 31

Where: Homer, Alaska

Cost: Mostly free

What it's about: The coming together of Alaska Native artists, Elders, tradition-bearers, dancers, drummers, and non-Native participants all in celebration of cultural sharing and community building.

More info: Online or call the Pratt Museum at 907-235-8635

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September fairs and festivals around the state

The Rainforest Festival

When: Thursday, Sept. 5 - Sunday, Sept. 8

Where: Petersburg, Alaska

Cost: Mostly free

What it's about: Bring residents closer to the natural world through education, exploration and the arts. This year's participants will have an opportunity to take a whale watching charter with noted whale researcher Jan Straley, get up close with raptors and take a workshop on botanical illustration. Kids will enjoy the festival's hands-on workshops, which include fishprint t-shirts, tide pooling, rainforest sketchbooking and more.

More info: Online

September First Tap at Bear Tooth

When: Thursday, Sept. 5

Where: Bear Tooth TheatrePub in Anchorage

Cost: $35

What it's about: The music of the David Grisman Quintet and that good old fashion first tap.

More info: Online

Monolith Agency Music Showcase

When: Friday, Sept. 13 & Saturday, Sept. 14

Where: Tap Root Public House in Anchorage

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Cost: $10 per night, or $15 for both nights

What it's about: The Monolith Agency is a boutique booking and publicity agency for local and traveling independent musicians. The Showcase is an effort put forth by the Agency to share the best of Alaskan made music, as well as headlining national acts, in one location over the period of two nights. This year's Outside headliner is legendary American musician Bobby Bare Jr. and his band.

More info: Online

2nd Annual Capital Brewfest

When: Saturday, Sept. 14

Where: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Juneau Arts and Cultural Center in Juneau, Alaska

Cost: $30 general; $5 for designated drivers

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What it's about: The brewfest offers a great selection of brews, bands and good food all for a good cause.

More info: Online

2013 Bodega-Fest

When: Saturday, September 14

Where: Cuddy Family Park in Anchorage

Cost: $25 in advance, $30 at the door

What it's about: Exotic and local (but always delicious) spirits. The fest features, along with live music, beer, wine, mead and cider from Alaska, the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

More info: Online

Seward Music and Arts Festival

When: Friday, September 27- Sunday, September 29

Where: Alaska Railroad Cruise Ship Terminal Dock Building in Seward, Alaska

Cost: $6 per daily and $15 for a festival pass

What it's about: The festival provides unique vendors and food from all around the state, and local and national musical acts. Check out the 2013 line-up.

More info: Online

Did we miss anything? Share your soirees and church-hall raves on our calendar.

Craig Medred

Craig Medred is a former writer for the Anchorage Daily News, Alaska Dispatch and Alaska Dispatch News. He left the ADN in 2015.

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