The Girdwood Forest Fair committee has agreed to postpone the Girdwood Forest Fair. This difficult decision is based on the realization that while the fair in itself is a success, the activities that occur outside of the event present an unsafe environment for the community at large. The Forest Fair draws a significant population increase which stresses the resources of Girdwood and has in recent years drawn a number of undesirable characters to the valley - many of which do not attend the Forest Fair itself. These individuals have abused the privilege of participating in the Forest Fair and have treated the valley and the event with disrespect and a true lack of dignity. The community of Girdwood has voiced their opinions to the Forest Fair Committee about the events that occur outside the Forest Fair Park as an unsafe environment that is not in keeping with the values of the Forest Fair as a family event.

 

This undesirable behavior has deeply saddened the Forest Fair Committee as well as our vendors, musicians, event patrons and the community of Girdwood.

It is an expectation that since the Forest Fair is attracting the crowds to the Girdwood valley, it should be the responsibility of the Forest Fair Committee to protect the valley from potential harms such as vandalism, forest fire and other public safety hazards. The Forest Fair committee has been performing due diligence over the past 9 months to define risks and mitigation plans, including recommendations from the community. Through this process, the Committee has recognized that current risks may outweigh the capability of our Committee to effectively prevent the crowd who aren't coming to enjoy the Forest Fair but using this weekend for their own purposes from coming despite our efforts to remediate. In acceptance of this responsibility, the Forest Fair Committee has decided to postpone the event until we are able to provide a robust solution to the bad behavior presented by unwelcome patrons and send a clear message that the Forest Fair is a family event and those who do not respect the Forest Fair's intentions are not invited to return.