Homer Alaska - News -

Individuals can pick up passports and have them stamped by the businesses where the pigs appear.

Once stamped, passports can be taken to the fair and entered into a drawing for prizes.

Exhibit guides have recently become available. In Homer, copies can be found at the Wagon Wheel, Homer Public Library, the Homer Bookstore and Seams To Bee Quilting Shop. With a cover covered with you guessed it flying pigs, the guide includes entry forms, a calendar of important dates for exhibitors, and important information on each of the departments.

Whether you do or don't intend to enter an item in the fair's 24 separate departments, the 45-page guide makes for fun reading.

For instance, goat exhibitors should know their entries might be placed in an outdoor shed separate from the livestock barn if it is deemed in the best interest of the fair.

"This includes animals with offensive odor," the booklet states.

Entries of homemade baked goods must be covered with plastic wrap.

"Exhibits not wrapped may be disqualified," according to the information for Department 9.

The guide also offers a peek at the scorecards used by judges to determine which entries win ribbons. It's possible to score 25 points for a cake that's flavor is delicate and pleasing with no pronounced taste other than the desired flavor. Flavor is even more important 40 points possible for entries in the home-brew and winemaking department. On the frame honey score card, however, an evenly filled frame can claim as much as 30 points, while flavor can only grab a maximum 20 points.

While there is a whole department dedicated to flowers, not all flowers are welcome, as the exhibit guide's two-page centerfold points out. Twelve colored photos help identify a dozen invasive, destructive plants that definitely should not be encouraged on the Kenai Peninsula.

The fair's popular "Backwoods Girl" competition is already drawing attention, with 2008 Mrs. Alaska Erin Lynn Gray of Anchorage training for the event under the watchful eye of her father, Matt Reams of Soldotna.

As a clock ticks and a "baby" cries, entrants are tested on the talents that make backwoods girls a force unto themselves. They have to haul wood, light a fire, carry water and show off their skill with a frying pan.

Gray warned that competitors should not be fooled by the pictures on her "Mrs. Alaska United States" Web site or by preconceived notions of a beauty queen's capabilities.

"To my competitors: Don't underestimate me because I'm a pageant girl," Gray said. "High heels, restrictive undergarments, hair removal beauty queens are tougher than you think."

Musical entertainment this year includes Josh Krohn, son of Martie Krohn, the fair's board president.

"He started playing fiddle on our stage when he was five years old," McGinnis said.

Mary Langham's circus performers are set to entertain. Politicians running for office began picking out the location for their booths a year ago. Ninilchik School's track team is coordinating this year's River To River Run, a grueling course that starts and ends at the fairgrounds and crosses the mouths of Deep Creek and Ninilchik River.

A new livery stable, complete with guided tours to show children the proper way to care for animals, is being installed for young farmer-wannabes.

The golf course has been revamped with a fishing theme. The strong-of-arm can battle it out in arm-wrestling matches. Fishermen of all ages can see who hauls nets the fastest.

Bull riding. A midway. More than 100 vendors. Cotton candy. Popcorn.

In its 54th year, the Kenai Peninsula State Fair is older than statehood, McGinnis is quick to point out.

Volunteers and people to help at the gate are still needed. To sign up, call (907) 567-3670.