One of the highlights of the Alaska State Fair is seeing the giant vegetables. It’s hard to believe with one’s own eyes, how big produce can grow under vigilant care and endless daylight. But after the hotdog stands are packed up, the carnival rides moved on, and the animals sent home, where do all the vegetables go?
The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in Portage is pleased to announce a continuing partnership between AWCC and the Alaska State Fair. This Friday and Saturday, the giant vegetables that the fair is famous for will become food to the giant herds of animals of the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. These famous vegetables, the center of many photographs during the fair, have a chance to become famous once again, and also serve another purpose, by feeding the animals at the Center.
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center has received a huge truckload of giant cabbages, zucchinis, turnips, radishes and gourds from the State Fair. These near record sized vegetables are too big, mealy and tough to be consumed by people; however they are very nutritious for our animals.
Friday and Saturday at 1:00 PM, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center staff will be dishing out these huge treats to all of the animals. These vegetables were provided to the animals for the first time in 2010, and continue to be very popular with the critters at the Center. A majority of the food will be loaded into the John Deere Tractor and driven into the bear enclosure. The bears are able to sort through and pick out their favorite delicacies. Extra cabbages will be served to the moose, elk and bison.
