A “big surprise” decline in Saturday admission cost the Southeast Alaska State Fair thousands of dollars, said fair director Jessica Edwards. However, she said this loss was recovered by increased visitation on Thursday and Sunday.

Edwards said gate sales were down 10 percent on Saturday from last year’s event, but there was abnormally high admission on Thursday and Sunday. Saturday is generally the fair’s best attended day.

Edwards said she couldn’t pinpoint a reason for the drop, but speculated a poor ferry schedule Saturday and dismal summer weather overall could have prevented some Juneau folks from making the trip.

“Saturday we just didn’t see some people, and why that happened I don’t know,” Edwards said. “We’re just sort of poking around for possibilities.”

Overall, the fair reached a similar income to 2016.

Cruise ships docked in town three out of the four fair days made it difficult to recruit volunteers who were working tourism industry jobs. Edwards said staff was working up to the week of the fair to find volunteers, which was a tighter schedule than last year.

Edwards said one of the fair’s biggest challenges was its rides. “The Ferris wheel is basically job number one for the next year,” Edwards said. The ride went into a free spin Saturday afternoon after the hydraulic system failed. “We’re calling in the big guns,” she said.

The fair has already contacted a hydraulic specialist in Juneau who will overhaul the machine, she said. The ride is structurally sound, but Edwards said the fair plans to sand blast and repaint the ride. Edwards said fair staff will also address the malfunctioning train, which has broken down the last two years and replaced with an ATV. An issue with the carousel on Thursday of the fair was resolved.

Edwards said exhibits entries were down for a second year, with the exception of quilts. “The Alaska State Fair in Palmer is also seeing this problem,” Edwards said. She speculates it’s caused by a general decline in crafting.

“People are spending too much time in front of screens instead of making things,” she said.

Edwards said overall the 49th annual fair went smoothly. New contests like Southeast Strong and the Dinky Doggy Derby were well attended. Staff worked out logistics internally, which helped make staff and volunteers “a little less exhausted after the fair,” Edwards said.

Three new board members were elected at the fair’s annual membership meeting Friday, Aug. 25. Spencer Douthit, Ray Reeves and Kevin Forster took seats and Paul Wheeler was reelected. Edwards said she expects one board vacancy in the coming year; interested residents are encourage to submit a letter of interest. She said the fair board and staff will start a strategic planning process in September to set goals for the next three to five years. They are looking for input from the community.

Edwards said as the fair comes up on its 50th year, she is looking for ideas on how to make the event special.