The Kenai Peninsula Fair took place last weekend in Ninilchik. Coordinator Lara McGinnis said for the most part it was very successful with the exception of the very rainy conditions on Saturday. According to McGinnis, the turnout was approximately 4,200 people in addition to vendors and rodeo participants.

“I would say everybody had a really great time. It felt like a great switch from a paid venue to a free admission and most of my vendors were actually pretty tickled with their sales, even though Saturday had a pretty low turnout,” McGinnish said.

Some of the highlights of the weekend, according to McGinnis, were the car show on Sunday, the scarecrow competition and Diamond Dance Project’s “flash mob/organic dance party.”

The petting zoo event, coordinated by the Ninilchik Future Farmers of America, was popular as usual, with “one little rooster that would let kids carry him all around.”

“I’ve never seen a rooster like that, so I thought it was phenomenal,” she said.

Both McGinnis and rodeo coordinator, Frank Koloski of Palmer, noted that the rodeo events were excellent despite the weather conditions. Koloski, who has been producing rodeos in Alaska since 2010, said there were more than 200 contestants this year, including both the junior and open rodeo events.

The Central Peninsula Rodeo, originally held in Happy Valley, is one of the oldest rodeo events in the state, Koloski said.

The Kenai Peninsula Fair and rodeo, now tied together, are well supported by the communities and residents of the peninsula, he said. “It’s a really fun event to be a part of.”

Koloski said full rodeo results will be posted on the Rodeo Alaska website: www.rodeoalaska.com but for now the organization is busy coordinating rodeo events for the Alaska State Fair that will take place Aug. 23-25.

Morgan Carlson-Kelly and Jolie Webb, members of the Ninilchik FFA, pose at the petting zoo at the Ninilchik Fair on Aug. 9, 2024, in Ninilchik. (Emilie Springer/ Homer News)