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Photo by Eric Engman

FAIRBANKS — While many vendors and concessionaires at the Tanana Valley Fair are just after visitors’ money, volunteers working at political booths are only after a few minutes of their time. And unlike many political outlets, the fair attracts a constant and diverse amount of foot traffic that goes right past the booths. In frenzied pre-election days, volunteers are taking advantage of the convenient access to constituents.

“It’s a potpourri of different people with different perspectives,” said Michelle Sikma, who volunteered at the Republican Party of Alaska’s tent yesterday and also happens to be the daughter-in-law of U.S. Senate candidate Rick Sikma of North Pole.

In a blue shirt proclaiming “Sikma for Senate,” she was there to support all Republican candidates; hand out information, stickers and ribbons; and answer questions. Volunteers throughout the Borealis Pavilion, where the candidate and political tables clustered, said they too were capitalizing on the busy, upbeat scene to get their messages out to voters and garner support for the upcoming primary election. The forum also gives residents a chance to express their concerns to volunteers, who can jockey those back to their political camps.

“The two biggest concerns are energy and the economy,” Sikma said.

Republicans also voiced concern about the recent indictment of Sen. Ted Stevens, and another tent was set up to support him. At a booth staffed by Cathy Nosher, many residents stopped by to share stories about the senator and to sign their name on sheets titled “I am Not a Fair Weather Fan.”

“We’ve filled up about 20 sheets this week,” Nosher said of the lists of signatures.

At the Alaska Democratic Party’s booth, Caroline Gray also was dispensing information to people. One visitor, for example, asked for the names of all the legislators meeting in Juneau to discuss oil prices.

Volunteers rotated in two-hour shifts at the table, she said. Some perks to representing her party at the fair included the opportunity to visit with all kinds of people, plus the halibut and Navajo tacos, she said.

To draw people in, the Democratic Party’s booth, like most others, included a drawing for a prize. In keeping with the fair’s Pirates of the Carrots and Beans theme, Gray said, they would draw for bean salad, soup and candles as well as a DVD about pirates.

The table sat opposite a non-scientific straw poll that showed Mark Begich leading in the Senate race with 285 votes, trailed by Sen. Stevens with 80 votes at about 3 p.m. Wednesday.

Advocates for the House of Representatives also worked the Borealis Pavilion, such as Betty Rollins, who had been at the booth campaigning for Diane Benson since noon.

“I’ve talked to people from all walks of life here,” she said.

In true fair spirit, the volunteers were all able to talk food as well as politics.

“You haven’t been here before? You should try a deep-fried Snickers bar at the ‘frandy’ stand,” said Sikma of the fried-candy enticements near pavilion.