Thanks to massive community pushback, the historic Fairbanks-area Tanana Valley State Fair has decided to cancel plans to host a controversial LGBTQ drag queen show during this year’s fair.
On Feb. 21, the Alaska Watchman ran a story about the fact that a group called Out at the Fair (OATF) had arranged to perform a LGBTQ “Glam Show” with cross-dressing drag queens and kings on July 29. The event was not scheduled as one of the fair’s free events, but fairgoers (ages 18 and up) would have needed to purchase separate tickets to attend.
Three days after the Watchman story ran, the fair issued a statement saying the “Glam Show” was now cancelled.
“The Tanana Valley State Fair has received a lot of communication from the community regarding our possible hosting of a Glam Show,” the fair posted to its Facebook page. “At this time, this event will not be a part of the 2025 Fair. Tanana Valley State Fair continues to work towards our mission to ‘Educate and Entertain” and will be sharing entertainment updates shortly. Thank you so much for caring about the Fair and the community.”
Established 101 years ago, the intent of Alaska’s oldest fair has always been to offer a family-friendly event that includes livestock, games, rides and other traditional fair experiences.
OATF, however, works to establish an initial foothold at family-oriented fairs around the country. This strategy entails moving from smaller private events to eventually becoming officially sponsored vendors and entertainers with gay-themed concerts and dances, LGBTQ photo booths, erotic acrobatic shows, kids’ games and other activities. Many of the events entail scantily clad, highly sexualized cross-dressers.
It appears this strategy failed in Fairbanks, where many residents had threatened to boycott the fair if persisted in hosted the drag show.
2 Comments
This is the best news you’ve posted in a l9ng time. It’s time if LGBTQ+ want a show they need yo for it themselves and not tagging onto others, like the fair, parades, sporting events, etc..
LGBTQ+ folks need to know they are not normal and need mental help! They need yo know they are different but don’t need special rights! They choose to be that way.
Great News!!! Thank you for keeping Alaskans aware of what’s happening in Alaska!!! And leaving convenient links , that get messages to the right desk!
You guys Rock!