Issue #8
November 5th 2007
November 5th 2007
Page 2 of 5
Alaska State Fair - Palmer AK
(November 5, 2007)
(November 5, 2007)
Lou says....
Fair time is the last week in July and locals tell us that State Fair time is also the start of the rainy season. As you can see in the photo there are dark clouds over the mountains, but we were fortunate and the rain stayed away for our visit there. The fair grounds is in a very scenic loction with mountains in the background and many colorful flower beds on the grounds.
Fair time is the last week in July and locals tell us that State Fair time is also the start of the rainy season. As you can see in the photo there are dark clouds over the mountains, but we were fortunate and the rain stayed away for our visit there. The fair grounds is in a very scenic loction with mountains in the background and many colorful flower beds on the grounds.
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We found the Alaska State Fair to be very typical of county fairs back in Illinois. Our favorite Illinois fair is the Sandwich Fair, also known as the DeKalb County Fair, and in comparison I would say the Alaska State Fair is slightly smaller.
One thing we were expecting to see here were the giant vegetables and pumpkins but I was disappointed to find out that it was way too early for pumpkins and the giant cabbage competition wouldn't be held until later when we would be in Denali.
As with most places we visit we always seem to meet people who have an interesting story to tell and here at the fair it was no different.
One thing we were expecting to see here were the giant vegetables and pumpkins but I was disappointed to find out that it was way too early for pumpkins and the giant cabbage competition wouldn't be held until later when we would be in Denali.
As with most places we visit we always seem to meet people who have an interesting story to tell and here at the fair it was no different.
WHOLE HOG CATERING OR NONE
Hatcher Pass, Alaska - (907) 373-7808
Chef Bob Bowers (left) and his partner (above)
It was late in the afternoon and we decided to get a bite to eat. I opted for Irish Stew and Val decided on BBQ Salmon from "the train place" she had seen earlier. I purchased my stew then joined her at a table under the train tent. As I was complaining about how lousy my stew was the gentlemen, dressed as a railroad engineer, sitting next to Val overheard me and had to tell us how good his food was. While we were chatting his partner came by, gleaned a bit of the conversation, then disappeared. He soon returned with generous sample of BBQ beef for me. I immediately realized I had made the wrong food choice.....The BBQ beef was excellent as was Val's salmon. Bob, the engineer/chef, then proceeded to tell us his story.
Bob explained that he had a local restaurant and lost his lease. He then teamed up with his partner who had the knowledge and skill to design and manufacture, from scratch, the rolling BBQ train above. The BBQ grill is designed to roast a whole hog, hundreds of hamburgers or any other BBQ feast. It was quite a project according to Bob. The train not only needed to be certified and licensed to drive on the roads but also needed to meet strict health standards to be approved as public food vendor. Needless to say all went well and now you just might see train number "9" and coal car traveling down one of Alaska's roads on the way to some big event.
Bob explained that he had a local restaurant and lost his lease. He then teamed up with his partner who had the knowledge and skill to design and manufacture, from scratch, the rolling BBQ train above. The BBQ grill is designed to roast a whole hog, hundreds of hamburgers or any other BBQ feast. It was quite a project according to Bob. The train not only needed to be certified and licensed to drive on the roads but also needed to meet strict health standards to be approved as public food vendor. Needless to say all went well and now you just might see train number "9" and coal car traveling down one of Alaska's roads on the way to some big event.