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| A hip summer art opening in Fairbanks, Alaska © L. W. |
What's Up With Fairbanks in The Summer of 2012?
The Tanana Valley Fair in Fairbanks is held in the first part of August, earlier in the summer than the Palmer Fair, due to Fairbanks' longer days and warmer weather.
During the Fair, hotels all over Fairbanks were booked up. But, the crowded hotel scene continued after the Tanana Fair, well into late August.
Golden North Motel is a family-run facility with a loyal clientele of Alaskans that appeals exclusively to independent travelers who like personal service and meeting locals. In the morning, visitors enjoy sitting on the couches in front of the office counter, sipping coffee and passing the time talking with each other and members of the Baer family about Alaska, Fairbanks -- and their travels.
Said Scot Baer, at the Golden North Hotel: "I think it's been busy all over Fairbanks. A lot of people were thinking it was going to be a bad season, because of the economy in Europe and the economy in the U.S. It wasn't bad at all. When you're a certain age and you're about to retire, there are things you want to do. It's good. People want to come to Alaska!"
"It's on people's radar more from reality TV shows on Alaska... It's been more or less back to normal. We're happy about that. I think most people in Fairbanks would say this was a good year for tourism."