Alaska State Fair Cancelled: First Time Since World War II

"Pop Up" Drive In Movies & Other Events Planned Instead

Alaska State Fairgrounds

The Alaska State Fair hasn't been cancelled since 1942, but this year the fair's size and scope, along with the unknowns of the coronavirus pandemic, is beyond the ability of the staff.  On May 22nd, the State Fair sent out a press release noting:

"We need to make decisions now based on what we know today, not how we hope things will be in August. We have now reached the point that with all the conjecture surrounding mandates and recommendations for mass gatherings of this scale, it just will not be possible to deliver the same experience fairgoers have come to expect from the State’s largest celebration. Each day brings insurmountable challenges to overcome."

The Fair plans to offer "fun, safe, socially distant experiences" instead. These include "the popular Pop-up Drive-in movies" along with their first Food Truck Fare event starting at the end of May, and a new "Bright Up The Night" drive through light display at Christmas.