The Southeast Alaska State Fair has a new director in advance of this year’s festivities. The Fair has been without a permanent director since the previous one resigned last summer.

The Southeast Alaska State Fair has been going on in Haines for over 50 years. This month, it’s welcoming Beverly Kryder as its new director. The position had been open since Kari Johnson left the organization last August. Kryder comes to Haines from Ohio and is no stranger to state and county fairs.

Kryder: “My background was basically in fairs was Elkhart County 4H fairgrounds and Goshen, Indiana. I was there for 17 years. And then I got the bright idea that I’d like to retire and move to Ohio to be closer to my daughter. And I got there and guess what? COVID hit. I did start working at The Ohio State Fair there as a customer representative, COVID Hit that whole fair close down for two years also, as did most fairs.”

Despite her previous retirement, Kryder saw an opportunity in taking on the responsibilities of the Haines event..

Kryder: “I’m just, I’m an older person. But I feel that life has a lot to offer. And it seems to like something I could do and would be interesting and grow me as a human as an individual.” “It just felt like a good change. I did grow up in a small town. So a small town I’m used to to. But an adventure, I think that’s where I need to say it just to grow me as a human.”

While Kryder is still getting her bearings in her new position, she already has positive things to say about the organization and looks forward to adding her experience.

Kryder: “Got a great crew here, those that are working or they know what they’re doing. Us, they’re going to teach me what I can bring to them. I hope it is consistency, support, and just make them the best team possible. We do need to grow a few positions I believe, to make it really effective. Program wise, you’ve got a good sound program, maybe can help tweak a few things, from the experience that I’ve had new ideas…”

Kryder says that she’ll be assessing the infrastructure and financial needs of the fair as she settles into the job. The fair’s Community Outreach Director, Amanda Randles, already has acts lining up for this year’s event. Kryder says she’s excited to see the entire program.

Kryder: “I’m looking forward to all of it. I’m really interested to see how it works, what the flow of the process is. I mean, the whole thing is very exciting to be a part of something that’s, yeah, it’s been in the community for a long time, but every year is a little bit different. So I just am very excited to see how it functions.”

Customarily a family-friendly event, for the first time a drag show will be part of this year’s lineup. Kryder says she thinks it will be interesting. 

Kryder: “Evidently, you know, Amanda thinks it’s okay to do. I trust her judgment. She knows what she’s doing. Yeah, people might be concerned. I guess the way I would say it is, you know, not everybody has to watch every show. And if you’re concerned about that, I think that the best thing to do is to not participate in that. Because there’s so many other options you can do at the same time on the fairgrounds that, go do that, you know, when we start limiting things, I think, yeah… it’s a family, it’s a family function, we need to be careful what that what happens. But at the same time, it’s, this is America, you know, freedom and that kind of stuff.”

Coming to Haines is Kryder’s first experience in Alaska, and she wanted to share her appreciation to the community.

Kryder: “Just being here, the short amount of time I’ve been here, everyone has been so gracious and friendly and helpful. And that’s been fantastic. That small town, I realized that and I know that I’m the newbie in town, and I’m no stranger in town. So it’s going to take a while for people to get used to me and I get used to them. But at the same time, it’s just I really want to thank all the people have been so wonderful and helpful to me and we need your help. We like I say here at the fair, it can’t run without volunteers. It can’t run without sponsors. It can’t run without all the people in the community joining together to be part of it, and we greatly appreciate it.”

The Fair holds Spring Fling in April, the Great Alaska Craft Beer and Homebrew Festival in May, the Haines Community Fisherman’s Free Salmon Barbecue in June, and the annual Southeast Alaska State Fair takes place at the end of July.

For more information about the Southeast Alaska State Fair, call 907 766-2476.