The Alaska State Fair is a pretty big deal in these here parts. It is actually too big for its britches. It would also be to the benefit of fairgoers and those who work at the fair if they limited this event to 10 days. Even with break days, 16 days is too much.

I decided to try and have a better attitude about things being the way they are at the fair. I would like to have a better attitude in general for the way things are.

This life (and I suspect I have several more), I am acknowledging that a lot of the time I have a shitty attitude. However, acknowledging this is a step in the right direction.

It was a long day at the fair because I left early in order to avoid the Saturday traffic. It was as bad as last Saturday, which made my decision a good one. I would be Type A, but I’m too lazy. The prospect of sitting in my car for two hours is not tenable. I am making it out of the realm of possibility.

The day started well. I got out and distributed books early. This was right around 11:00 a.m. when the people were beginning to trickle in. One woman took a photo of me in my book hat. And after stopping by the human resource council booth, I said that I’d stuff the books in the petting zoo with their animal service fliers. Of course they were grateful. I continued on and filled a full complement of newspaper boxes.

It was airplane day – I enlisted Pete’s assistance with this – he worked with the kids on this project. I got them all outside for an airplane throwing contest. We had three divisions, one was, farthest, the second was acrobatic, and third was highest.

I took a volunteer, and we went over to the goat shelter, and I got us in, so that we could read to kids. Sharon isn’t a big animal fan, but she did just fine, reading them a goat book.

I did the evening distribution because Pete’s leg was hurting him. It was way different than the morning distribution because I had to pull the wagon through a sea of people, some of whom were moving fast and some of whom were moving very slowly. I am not a patient person, so this was somewhat difficult.

So many people came through that red gate. Getting them to come into the barn was a real challenge. We arose to the occasion and did fairly well.

Pam H. Showed up, and using people’s phones she took their picture on the large metal FA R sculpture.

Now tomorrow it is going to be much the same ,and the day after that. We get two days off.

Next: 228. 8/24/25: Let’s See. . .