What the Tanana Valley State Fair Is
The Tanana Valley State Fair is Fairbanks' ten-day summer fair, run by the Tanana Valley State Fair Association, which exists to support Alaska's agricultural, industrial and educational interests through an annual fair. It mixes midway rides, music and shows with open exhibits, 4-H projects and a youth livestock auction. The 2026 fair ran July 31 to August 9 on the 100-acre fairgrounds, with gates opening at noon on opening day. Its 2026 theme was "All Is Fair in Love and Spore."
What There Is to Do
- Rides, food trucks, games, merchandise, axe throwing and horse rides, with live music on stages around the grounds.
- A free nightly closeout concert series at the Usibelli Stage, which was being renovated for 2026.
- Tiny Town, a new free play area for toddlers and young children, separate from the midway.
- A Birdman live wild bird show with eagles and raptors, stilt walkers, a hockey circus stunt show and acrobats.
- More than 200 vendors and two beer gardens, one full-service and one with local craft brew.
Parking cost $3 per vehicle Thursday through Saturday in 2026. Volunteers who work one three-hour shift get free gate admission and parking for the day.
Ways to Enter and Exhibit
| Program | How it works |
|---|---|
| Open exhibits | Exhibiting is free. Create a FairEntry account under the family or group name; online entry closes at 7 p.m. the night before drop-off. Birthdates are required only for junior exhibitors. |
| 4-H exhibits (Division 1) | Non-perishable entry Saturday, July 25, 1 to 6 p.m.; perishable entry Thursday, July 30, 1 to 6 p.m.; pickup Monday, August 9. Contest registration forms are due at non-perishable entry. |
| 4-H and FFA market livestock | Youth raise steers, swine, lambs, goats, poultry and rabbits and sell them at the market livestock auction. |
4-H premiums and incentives
Division 1 exhibits are judged by the Danish system. Premiums rose in 2026 to $5 for a blue ribbon, $3 for red, $2 for white, $2 for Cloverbud and $5 for Class Champion. Each 4-H exhibit also earns one ticket for cash and gift card drawings, and the member with the most exhibits wins $100 (the 2025 winner entered 57 exhibits).
4-H contests
Favorite Foods (Monday, July 27, noon), Home Garden Tour (Tuesday, July 28), Sewing Challenge (July 28), Fashion Revue, My Favorite Outfit and Demonstrations and Performing Arts (all Sunday, August 2, 12:30 p.m.), and the Bake Off (Wednesday, August 5, noon).
The Livestock Timeline
- July 25, 1 to 6 p.m.: entry day at Largen Barn; buyer contacts and record books due.
- July 30: animal delivery. Small animals 2 to 8 p.m., large animals 4 to 8 p.m., with a vet check before animals enter the barns.
- July 31: mandatory barn meeting at 11 a.m. and official fair weigh-in noon to 2 p.m.
- Sunday, August 2, 6 p.m.: judging of large 4-H and FFA market livestock.
- Friday, August 7: barn meeting at 11 a.m.; reception at 5 p.m. and the 47th annual Market Livestock Project Auction at 6 p.m.
- August 9, 7 a.m.: animal pickup and barn cleanup. Small animals go to buyers by August 23 unless otherwise arranged.
At the auction, large livestock are bid in dollars and sold by the pound, small livestock and goats by the pen or individually, and the sale order follows market class placings starting with the grand champion. Bidders pick up a bidder card from the auction clerk first, and each buyer gets a complimentary photo with the animals. The buyer pays transportation, slaughter, cut, wrap and freeze charges on top of the purchase price unless handling their own processing. The sponsors are Tanana District 4-H, the Alaska FFA Association, the Tanana Valley State Fair Association and the Alaska Farm Bureau.
Where
Tanana Valley Fairgrounds, 1800 College Road, Fairbanks, AK 99709. The fair office phone is 907-452-3750.
Questions
What does it cost to exhibit?
Nothing. Exhibiting is free.
When is the livestock auction?
Friday, August 7, 2026, with a reception at 5 p.m. and the auction at 6 p.m.
Who do I call about 4-H livestock?
The Tanana District 4-H office at 907-474-2427.
Official Links
- Tanana Valley State Fair exhibitor information
- Tanana Valley State Fair Association
- Tanana District 4-H newsletter, June-August 2026
- 2026 Market Livestock Auction
- Alaska's News Source: fair opens Friday
- Alaska's News Source: opening day
Alaska State and Community Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Alaska youth livestock shows run through a few big fairs. In 2026 the Tanana Valley State Fair in Fairbanks ran July 31 to August 9 and the Alaska State Fair in Palmer ran August 21 to September 7, per Alaska's News Source and the exhibitor guide. The Kenai Peninsula Fair in Ninilchik and the Southeast Alaska State Fair in Haines are the other main community fairs.
Livestock shows
The Palmer livestock show was September 1 to 7, with large livestock registration due August 10 and small livestock registration closing July 31. The Fairbanks 4-H and FFA market auction was Friday, August 7.
Ownership and entries
Poultry must be owned 60 days, rabbits and cavies must be ear-tattooed, and exhibitors may sell only one market animal unless auction rules allow otherwise.
Next steps
Ask your 4-H district office for your fair's exhibitor guide and deadlines.
Weights, possession dates and sale rules differ by fair.
Read the full guide: Alaska State and Community Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Fairbanks 4-H Wildlife and Wildfire Day Camp
One-day $25 camp with lunch at the UAF Large Animal Research Station teaching youth about wildlife and wildfire. Held each year; the most recent date was June 16, 2026.
2220 Yankovich Road, Fairbanks, AK | Organizer: UAF Cooperative Extension Service 4-H Tanana District Official event details - Rodeo Alaska
RAM Championship Rodeo weekend in Fairbanks with a David Lee Murphy concert on the Saturday night. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 11-12, 2026.
Fairbanks, AK | Organizer: Tanana Valley State Fair Association Official event details - Fairbanks 4-H Cloverbud Camp
Three-day morning camp for ages 5 to 8 at Georgeson Botanical Garden, limited to 25 campers at $50. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 13-15, 2026.
Fairbanks, AK | Organizer: UAF Cooperative Extension Service 4-H Tanana District Official event details - Fairbanks 4-H Favorite Foods Contest
Noon food-preparation contest at the Upper 4-H Community Center, held the Monday before the Tanana Valley State Fair opens. Held each year; the most recent date was July 27, 2026.
Fairbanks, AK | Organizer: UAF Cooperative Extension Service 4-H Tanana District Official event details - Fairbanks 4-H Sewing Challenge
Timed sewing contest for Tanana District 4-H members, held in Room 154 of the University Park Building on the UAF campus. Held each year; the most recent date was July 28, 2026.
1000 University Ave, Fairbanks, AK | Organizer: UAF Cooperative Extension Service 4-H Tanana District Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.