Conservative Group Denied Booth at Alaska State Fair

A grassroots parental rights group, Moms for Liberty, was denied participation in a state fair in Alaska. The rejection followed accusations by a local activist that the group was a ‘hate group’, based on information from a left-leaning watchdog organization.

Moms for Liberty, known for opposing certain public school books and curricula, applied for a one-day booth at the Tanana Valley State Fair in Fairbanks. This fair, the oldest in Alaska, features various family-friendly activities. Tiffany Justice, the group’s president, emphasized that advocating for parental rights is not extremist.

Gail McBride, chair of the local chapter, received a rejection letter from the fair’s board on April 27. She noted that such rejections seem to be an attempt to marginalize conservative voices. The fair’s executive director, Scott Vance, stated that past interactions with the group involved a lack of decorum and antagonistic behavior towards board members and staff.

The Tanana Valley State Fair Association (TVSFA) reserves the right to deny applications if they may cause disruption or are at odds with the fair’s family-oriented mission. According to Vance, vendors must ensure the good conduct of their representatives.

At a board meeting on April 15, McBride tried to clarify misconceptions about Moms for Liberty. David Leslie, a prior fair employee, opposed the group’s involvement, labeling it as an ‘anti-government, extremist hate group’, citing its designation by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) in 2022. Leslie expressed deep concerns about the potential harm their presence could cause.

Following the meeting, the board rejected the group’s application. McBride expressed surprise at this decision in a June 25 letter, arguing the decision misrepresented the community and criticized the reliance on the SPLC’s label, mentioning the organization’s own legal troubles.

The SPLC has faced accusations of fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Moms for Liberty is considering legal action due to the fair’s denial. Justice mentioned similar issues have occurred elsewhere, such as Williamson County, Texas, where the group is also barred from participation.

Vance reiterated that the fair aims to be inclusive, yet cited the need to align vendor participation with the fair’s welcoming mission. The SPLC did not comment on the situation when approached by Fox News Digital.

Joshua Q. Nelson, a reporter for Fox News Digital, has covered developments in culture, education, and public policy since 2019. He holds degrees from Syracuse University and the University of Pennsylvania.