The 2023 Tanana Valley State Fair “Don’t Go Bacon My Heart”

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - Rides, food, music, and vendors, oh my!

The 2023 Tanana Valley State Fair starts today, July 28 and will run through August 6. The 10 day event is the interior’s largest bringing the community together in masses, including statewide and nationwide visitors. This year the fair is celebrating it’s 99th season, originally starting in 1924.

This year’s theme for the 2023 Tanana Valley State Fair is “Don’t Go Bacon My Heart.” Each day of the fair will also feature a theme. Familiar favorites like, Canned Food Day, Senior Day, UAF Day, and the newly rebranded Hometown Heroes Day, which will honor our first responders.

While attendees will see many familiar attractions, rides, and vendors, there are some changes and additions you need to know about when you go.

One change is there will now be cash and credit card payment specific gates. If you are wanting use cash please go through the red or blue gate, while credit card payments will be accepted at the white gate. In an effort to speed up lines, there will also be employees walking about the lines, collecting payment, as well. Another change is a new announcement system that will be heard wherever you may be on the fair grounds. Announcements will include, but not limited to, upcoming events, music acts, and other activities so you don’t have to worry about not being in the loop about an attraction you might want to attend or participate in.

A new addition to the theme of the day is ADA Sensory Day, which aims to reach a part of the community who may deal with sensory sensitivity and/or disability.

Executive Director for the Tanana Valley Fair Association, Faith Harris, says “We have an ADA (Americans with Disibilities Act) Sensory Day which will be 10 a.m. to 12 or 1 p.m. depending on how things go for people involved. The ADA sensitive community can come in at an earlier hour through the white gate. They’ll be able to come in and see sensory diffused opportunities. The rides will be quieter and only active as necessary. We’ll have some wonderful, peaceful animals to be near and touch, [too] as well as much quieter, the lights will be down.” Pay attention to the Tanana Valley State Fair’s website and social media for more updates about that date.

Among other changes and additions, there is also a new ride, “The Ring of Fire”, which is a large ring that will take riders around and around. The ferris wheel has also moved locations.

Keeping the safety of all attendees and vendors in mind, there will also be a larger security presence this year.

For a full schedule and complete list of events, you can visit the Tanana Valley State Fair’s website.

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