There's one thing you can say about the Alaskan State Fair and it's that they have some pretty big Cabbages. This isn't meant in any way to be an insult, but a compliment. See up in Alaska they like to grow the Giant Cabbage and enter it into the annual Giant Cabbage Competition at the fair every year. People from all over Alaska weigh in their giant veggies and the hobbyist or farmer with the biggest Cabbage wins the blue ribbon and envy of the other contestants. It's held every year around the same time in late August to early September in Palmer, Alaska. For visitors coming in from out of state it can be quite a trek to get to Alaska, let alone the fair, but there are a variety of ways to arrive in style. You can get around the immediate area of the fair via the Great Alaskan Trolley Company that offers a daily shuttle during the run of the fair. If you happen to be in Anchorage at the time of the fair you can take a train ride down to the South Palmer Station. The ride will give ample opportunity for reflection as it takes about two hours to get to the fair. Don't worry about food at the fair as you will encounter a wide range and variety of offerings. Besides the traditional funnel cake the different concession stands have Mexican foods, like tacos, and burritos and Alaskan influenced foods like Reindeer Polish Sausage and Beer Battered Halibut. Or you can buy some gold in the form of Alaskan gold nuggets, which are really tasty batter fried cheese. That's not all that goes on this fair. Other than the Giant Cabbages you can get to the fair to check out the Backhoe Rodeo, or the Diaper Derby or the Great Alaskan Husband Holler. Wives can certainly pick up a few tips from watching that contest! |
