Chilkat Valley News - Serving Haines and Klukwan, Alaska since 1966

In between picking up bait herring for the Fisherman's Rodeo and trying to round up 20,000 wristbands after an order didn't come, Southeast Alaska State Fair director Amanda Randles says the fair is ready to return to full force.

"It's happening, it's coming together," she said at a recent interview in her office at the fairgrounds.

The fair has suffered from forces outside its control for the past four years, beginning with a ferry strike in 2019 that crippled transportation to the community. A year later, it was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of visitors slowly climbed, but she estimated last year's attendance was only about 70% of pre-pandemic levels.

"(This year) we're hoping it's closer to what it was. Of course, it helps that Canada is open again. The ferry schedule seems to be workable this year," she said, "You know, we'll see."

This year's schedule boasts a return of longtime competition like the Fisherman's Rodeo where people compete in events like putting on a survival suit, tossing herring, or throwing life rings. There are also many returning musical acts, plus some new ones like country duo Boomtown Saints, who have been making waves in the country charts in the past few years.

"I feel like country music is sort of an itch we haven't scratched here for several years," she said. "I think they're going to be really fun."

Pulling together all the events this year has been a challenge. The fair's longtime director stepped down last year. A new director brought in from Ohio resigned in April over fallout from a planned drag show that drew opposition from some Haines residents concerned about sexual content.

"She ended up being the one to feel a whole lot of pretty bad behavior on the part of Haines people," said Randles.

The drag show is still happening at 9 p.m. on Saturday, two hours later than originally planned.

Randles is no stranger to the fair, having worked there since 2015, but she only stepped into the role out of obligation for the community. Still, she said it's a fairly good fit.

"I am having to learn on my feet. I've not been an executive director type before," she said. "But I do know the town and I'm not going to be taken by surprise by three-foot snowfalls."

One of the biggest challenges for this year's fair has been a shortage of volunteers. It's forced the fair to cut short its midway circus ride area at 6 p.m. instead of 8 p.m., and the climbing wall will only be open on Saturday

Still, she said all the main events of the fair will happen, even if she might not be getting any sleep in the lead up.

"I feel like I normally feel around this time, which is half-panicked, but basically fine," she said.