Community Gathers for Annual Kenny Lake Fair
August 28, 2025
Anna Somers - CRR Staff
On Saturday, August 16, hundreds of attendees came to the Kenny Lake Fair held outdoors at mile 7.5 of the Edgerton Highway. This year’s theme was a Renaissance fair, with many guests in costumes dressed up as knights, princesses, tavern workers, and even hobbits.
In keeping with the theme, many of the vendor booths and stalls were given Renaissance names. Guests could grab a bite to eat at a grub stall, buy cookies at Merlin’s Munchies, or get their faces painted at the Merry Merchants.
The morning began with a 1-mile or 5k fun run, with many kids, community members, and athletes from the Glennallen cross-country team racing to beat their personal records or just to have a good time.
While visiting with friends, shopping the vendor booths, or sharing a bite to eat, fair participants enjoyed music from many local performers who kept the main stage filled all day long. The morning began with folk songs on the guitar with Matt Morse, followed by keyboard music by Rayana Proch. Some of the other musicians on the performance lineup included local bands Wave Train and Last Ranch Resort, as well as solo performances by Sarah Cochran, Sammi Vonnahme, Mary Schallert, and “Jayden Jamming on Guitar.”
Many exhibits at this year’s fair reflected the agricultural roots of the Kenny Lake community. This year, the 4-H exhibit included goats, chickens, and sheep, as well as horse conformation and pig showmanship events.
An outdoor produce exhibit included many of the vegetables commonly grown in the area, such as tomatoes, peas, carrots, and onions. It also featured some interesting additions like a bright-orange clementine cauliflower and a zucchini that appeared to be at least a foot and a half long.
An indoor exhibit hall displayed arts and crafts from all kinds of categories. Most of the paintings represented Alaska themes, including puffins, bears, sled dogs, caribou, and the northern lights. Alongside children’s LEGO creations were intricate quilts and knitted hats, as well as an extremely impressive buffalo coat with a river-otter hood.
The Kenny Lake Fair was coordinated by Brad and Maureen Kimberlin. Maureen, who has lived in Kenny Lake for over thirty years, said that her favorite aspect of running the fair is seeing the final event come together after so much hard work.
Kimberlin is quick to note the importance of community help and involvement. “Volunteerism out here makes everything go,” she stated, noting how Kenny Lake’s critical local organizations like its emergency medical services, library, and community well are run by volunteers.
Community involvement was also at the heart of the fundraising dinner held at the fairgrounds on Friday, August 15. According to the evening’s organizer Katie Helkenn, around 150 people joined, and the Kenny Lake Community League raised $1960 in scholarship money from their annual dessert auction.
With its lively community atmosphere, many great performances, and interesting booths and exhibits to view, 2025’s Kenny Lake Fair was worth attending, and a great way to close out the summer and get ready to welcome in the fall.
