Due to Covid, we had online Fairs in 2020 and 2021, and our first hybrid Fair in 2022, where most participation (by far) was from in-person attendees. We will again use Whova as our event platform.
Attendance is free for IDEA families, and there is a nominal charge for others. Some people homeschool independently in Alaska, but most homeschoolers are in a homeschool support program. IDEA is the largest by far – and is in fact the biggest school of any kind in Alaska.
Historical information is provided below, for last year, to help with estimation. Average is calculated on the last five years, excluding the two Covid years (20 & 21). Attendance figures include children. For two-day fairs, the number given is attendance over both days. Sales/person only includes sales to IDEA families using POs. Actual sales are higher.
NOTE: Last year (2024), there was a disruptive ruling by an Alaskan judge 5 days before the Fair began that threatened homeschool funding. It was eventually overturned by the Alaska Supreme Court several weeks after the Fair, but sales numbers at the Fair were suppressed that year because of the upheaval and uncertainty. The same situation resulted in increased attendance, which further diluted the “sales/person” number.
Anchorage
Average attendance (two days) = about 1700
Attendance 2024 = 1984
Average sales/person = $235
Sales/person 2024 = $173
Soldotna
Average attendance (two days) = about 500
Attendance 2024 = 626
Average sales/person = $336
Sales/person 2024 = $264
Fairbanks
Average attendance (two days) = about 900
Attendance 2024 = 1020
Average sales/person = about $228
Sales/person 2024 = $189
Juneau
Average attendance (one day) = about 200
Attendance 2024 = 206
Average sales/person = $165
Sales/person 2024 = $141
