KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
Labor Day weekend is quickly approaching, which means it’s time for the Kodiak Rodeo and State Fair. This year’s event will kick off on Saturday and feature games, contests, food, and plenty of live animals throughout the weekend. Susan Killary is the president of the Kodiak Rodeo and State Fair board and said rodeo events will start at 3 p.m. each day.
“Hopefully we have some bull riders, open barrels, rescue race. The rescue race is where somebody rushes into the arena on a horse and rescues their partner. So the partner has to jump on the back of the horse and then they race back out of the arena.”
She said the full schedule will be in the newspaper on Friday, but people should expect for things to change.
“They may not necessarily be in order because when you’re dealing with cows and bulls and horses and people you just don’t ever know exactly which order that’s going to be in.”
Part of weekend’s festivities includes announcing the rodeo royalty.
“The contestants interviewed and did their riding patterns on Saturday and so the queen and her court will be announced during the rodeo.”
Another fair favorite will take place in the exhibit hall, where entries for dozens of different food, animal and art categories will be on display.
“We have arts and crafts, bakery, canning, play arts, crops, dairy, fibers and fiber art, flowers, homebrew, honey, livestock, photography, poultry, quilts, rabbits, sewing, winemaking, woodworking.”
Those interested in submitting something to any of those categories can drop their work off at the fairgrounds between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Friday. She said the ribbons will be awarded that evening and contestants can find out how they faired on Saturday morning. She said people can find entry packets and more information at the Stringbeadz store.
As for the fair itself, Killary said the gates open at noon each day. A family day pass, up to four members, is $35. An adult day pass is $11, senior citizen day passes are $6, as are children ages 6-12. Kids under 5 get in free.
