History
A Brief History of the Alaska State Fair Updated January 29, 2009

The Alaska State Fair has a history as long and varied as the community it resides in – the heart of the Matanuska Valley. The Valley’s original inhabitants were the Dena’ina, a group of Athabascan Indians. The population of the Valley grew around 1916, when a railroad spur was constructed to the coal fields at Chickaloon. In just one year, all available homesteading land had been staked. However, the combination of World War I, rugged conditions and a limited market caused many homesteaders to abandon their farms.

The U.S. government made the final, and successful, effort to populate the area in 1935. A farming colony was established in the Valley, with the intent of opening up Alaska, providing food to the military in case of war, and giving families on relief a new start. A total of 203 families from Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin and Oklahoma were selected. They arrived in the Valley in May 1935. Four years later, 40 percent of the original colonists still remained.

During their first year, the colonists constructed their homes, cleared fields and built a community. By July 1936, they were ready for a celebration. The Matanuska Valley Fair Association was formed and they decided to hold a four-day Fair from September 4 through September 7. They raised money for the original Fair by selling stock; within a few days, $1,200 had been raised. Admission was set at $1 for adults or $2 for a season pass; admission was free for children under 8.

The first Fair, held on the school grounds, coincided wi