The Alaska State Fair gathers many of the state's residents from all over and brings them together for a festival that is not only filled with music and food, but it recognizes all of the cultural and social differences that go to make Alaska the truly remarkable state that it is. Alaskans come to showcase their monster veggies, crafts, culinary creations and lots more. Also, there are agricultural contests, farm exhibits, the Alaska State Rodeo as well as nationally recognized performers.
Since Alaska features such an expansive and rustic landscape, it's no wonder that its development and growth owes much to the field of aviation. The Alaska Aviation Museum documents the role that aviation has played in the state's history and growth from 1897 up to the present day. You'll see exhibits and attractions that tell the story of Alaska's WWII fliers, early bush pilots, as well as efforts to preserve vintage aircraft. The museum is located at the largest seaplane facility in the world, and all that space affords the presentation of scale models, restored planes and even a theater that presents films on the various aircraft.
Discover the Alaska's connection to Russia when you tour Eklutna Historical Park. This hidden treasure has been open since 1990 and the staff and personnel work hard to preserve the cultural traditions of the south-central Alaskan native peoples. When you visit the village, the first stop is the Heritage House that features native art, old photographs and various historical presentations. You'll also see greater Anchorage's oldest building, the Russian Orthodox St. Nicholas Church, that is located within the park.
Kincaid Park is an impressive 1,400-acre park that boasts over sixty kilometers of outdoor trails that wind through the hills and birch and spruce groves. This park is literally a skier's dream, as most of these trails are lit to accommodate night skiing. The park is also the host of many ski competitions, including the Olympic tryouts. There is also a visitors center that features historic photographs and other interesting items. In the summer, the trails are excellent for hiking and biking, and the small pond nearby is usually stocked with trout or salmon.