Haines, Alaska

Allan Herschell Carousel

Classic Wood Carousel

"I don't think you could walk into something like this thinking it's going to be a rose garden," said Judy Murphy, the new manager of the Southeast Alaska State Fair.

Murphy, a former Juneau social worker and Fairbanks resident who took over the operations job at the regional event this week, knows she's inheriting a slim budget and a long to-do list.

Among her goals are re-establishing the fair's identity as a regional event and pushing 4-H programs. On the heels of losing a beer and wine license that investigators said turned the fairgrounds restaurant into a bar, she also wants to improve the fair's image.

"I had my apprehensions but every crisis is an opportunity for growth... I see this as a redirection of the fair and fair events, putting the emphasis back on community, family and youth. I think that's something that's been a little lost over the years," Murphy said in an interview.

Murphy first came to the fair as a horse show judge from Washington state in the early 1980s. She came back "almost every year" and witnessed changes from promotion of the fair as music festival to the creation of Dalton City as a historic theme park.

She said she always wanted to live in Haines and that her primary interest in the fair job stems from her belief the event is a community asset. "I'd like to see that not only continue, but grow and improve. I think there's a ton of potential here."

But Murphy said she realizes potential doesn't pay the bills. "Finances are a major component of the job, especially at this point. We need a solid plan for long-range revenue development. A part of that is going to be grant-writing and contribution campaigns, things that are take some time to accomplish."

Toward generating more support throughout the region, she plans a swing through Southeast to speak with civic groups, chambers of commerce and the fair's town representatives. The fair should be generating excitement in Southeast towns, she said.

Besides fund-raising, Murphy sees the fair's top three challenges as completing capital projects and strengthening the 4-H program throughout Southeast. Murphy has been involved in a 4-H dog-training group in Fairbanks.

"That's a piece of the fair that really is crucial. More youth participation means more exhibits. I'm going to talk to (Southeast communities) about 4-H programs and how they fit into community support for family and youth," Murphy said.

Currently, consultant Larry Ray is pursuing grants to fund the fair's six-item capital wish list. The list includes renovating the fair carousel and building a structure to house it, refurbishing outside horse stalls, insulating and heating Harriett Hall for year-round use, building bathrooms at the horse arena and buying kids' rides and educational displays.

On the first day of the fair, more than 700 visitors swarmed into the fishing town of 2,300 people. They came to see exhibitions, dance to live music or show their talents in competitions ranging from logging to songwriting. The fair runs through Sunday.

Organizers expect that the event will draw more than 5,000 visitors.

"This year we have more activities for families and kids. We have a carousel, a mini-train and game booths," said Ron Crecelius, president of the fair board. "We feel that's what a fair is about."

Patriotic vegetables: Nora Polizzi of Haines judges the Star-Spangled Zucchini Contest. The object of the contest was to have a zucchini show its patriotic colors. The zucchini in the foreground, titled, "Angel," won the blue ribbon and was made by Riley Erekson of Haines.

Teenagers inhaled helium from balloons Thursday and joked in funny voices. Small children surrounded a clown, who ate fire, juggled pins and put a toilet plunger on his mouth.

A group of Juneau girl scouts joined the star-spangled zucchini contest to win free entries to the fair. "Mine is rock 'n' roll zucchini," said Shelby Cook, 10. Her zucchini wore fake black hair, a blue guitar and a pink slanted skirt.

The fair offers something for everyone, not just children. The food court has food ranging from sushi to pizza to cotton candy.

This year's entertainment boasts Buckwheat Zydeco, one of the nation's most popular creole bands, and an Elvis Presley impersonator, whom people call "the king of Las Vegas."

The Harriett Hall showcases quilts, sweaters, poems and plants from Ketchikan to Whitehorse. "People come up with many good ideas," said Jane Bell, 87. "I already looked at the exhibitions twice. I probably will look at them again before I leave." At the exhibition hall, a Haines couple in their 80s demonstrated spinning wool into thread.

"The state fair is a great opportunity to see people you haven't seen for a while," said Raymond Menaker, 82, while spinning on a journey wheel.

Animal lovers can check out the 39 chickens, 21 rabbits, 11 guinea pigs and other livestock at McPherson Barn. A black hen and a white rabbit that stay in one cage have attracted a lot of attention.

"They are best buddies. They don't want to be separated," said Linda Anderson, who sleeps at the barn during the night to take care of the animals.

Because there are not many big animals in the contests, the only horse won first place in its category. So did a nanny goat. Visitors who want a little peace can take a stroll at Haines Community Garden or Dalton City at the fairgrounds.

Dalton City features buildings from the movie sets of Jack London's "White Fang" and depicts life back in the Klondike Gold Rush period. The movie was filmed in the Haines area in 1989.