Kenai Peninsula Fair brings festivities in defiance of rainfall

At the Kenai Peninsula Fair on Friday, a variety of experiences were on offer. Pigs raced only steps away from a stage from which music rang out. From there, a climbing wall could be seen reaching up into the sky. Nowhere on the fairgrounds was far from a food truck or a vendor tent selling crafts or snacks.

Under sunny skies, hundreds milled about, listening, playing, snacking and laughing. When a heavy rain began to fall, things didn’t look terribly different, people were still listening, playing, snacking and laughing, just with more umbrellas.

“Thanks for toughin’ out the rain guys,” said Mark Hutton as he played alongside Karin Caldwell on the spaces’ central Ocean Stage. “We appreciate it.”

Many flocked to spaces with some cover — like a large indoor vendor space by the door or a space offering horse rides for children.

Despite less than ideal conditions, the fun wouldn’t be stymied. The same big crowd gathered around the ring for the pig races, and the sound of music drew ears — syncopated by children splashing their way through puddles.

Rain let up around 3 p.m., just in time for 17-year-old Homer guitarist Silas Luke Jones to hit the Ocean Stage.

“The rain’s cleared off, hallelujah,” he called as he opened his set. The rain would be back in force before he packed up.

Jones drew dozens to the grassy space before the stage as he performed both original compositions and recognizable covers with his signature zeal — swaying with the music, dropping down into a crouch plucking at the neck of his instrument and tapping away on its body to sound percussion.

Between each song, Jones explained the techniques he was using to an engaged audience.

While the fiercely returning rain drove some of the crowd back under cover, Jones’ performance wouldn’t be hindered.

“Allow me to close this out with a party,” he said, before launching into a cover of “Thunderstruck” played in the pouring rain.

Rain or shine, the Kenai Peninsula Fair will be running through the weekend — open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Wednesday. Rodeo Alaska will put on a show Saturday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m., pig races will run three times each day and a roster of musical performances are set for the fairground’s two stages throughout the weekend.

Admission to the fair is $10 for adults, and $5 for youth and seniors. On Sunday, free admission can be secured with a donation to the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank.

For more information about the Kenai Peninsula Fair, visit facebook.com/kpfair.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.