Washboard Willy's free-spirited, upbeat, participatory jam session that winds its way through the fairgrounds three times a day is a delight for children and adults. But for Washboard Willy -- Larry Hiskett -- it wasn't always fun and games in a carnival-type atmosphere.

"I was in a real bad motorcycle accident, and the lady that was riding with me was paralyzed," Hiskett said. "I went through some real ups and downs there for a while. I was working as a park planner for the city of Loveland (Colo.) and my boss asked me if I could give 100 percent back to the city. I thought, 'I have to give 100 percent back to me for a change.' I gave him my two week notice right then."

Hiskett had a music career he was trying to launch as part of country and bluegrass bands, but his love of the washboard actually began years before. In 1976, while working on his bachelor degree in landscape architecture, he "was in a tip-top tavern in Eureka Springs, Arkansas when I saw Washboard Leo and a banjo player named Cornbread playing, and immediately, I was interested.

"I was a percussionist, and I thought, 'I can do that,'" Hiskett said.

Four years later, while working with the city of Aurora (Colo.) parks department, Hiskett happened to see a National 134 washboard for sale at an antique market. He bought it and started playing, eventually ruining five boards. Finally he built the Whiskett (the W is his middle initial, followed by his last name) Rhythm Board, which he still plays.

Hiskett played recreationally until the motorcycle accident. Then, he decided to dedcicate himself make a go of his music career.

"It took years and years, and it wasn't easy," Hiskett said.

In 1990, he went to Japan with a duo and in 1991 returned with a trio, playing a flower garden/theme park.

In 1992, his big break came.

"I was invited there for six months as a solo artist. It was my first and only chance to make it on my own and not as a drummer in a band," Hiskett said.

Hiskett played his upbeat, catchy music, using his washboard as the central instrument. Still, it didn't catch on like he had hoped, until one magical day when a set of shakers changed everything.

"Whenever I made eye contact with the kids, they would be intimidated and they wouldn't come up and get into it," Hiskett said. "So one day, I put some maracas down on the grass. They started picking them up and playing, and all of a sudden I've got like 20 kids with shakers, I'm playing the washboard and we're marching around the lawn having fun.

"Kids would start to wander in, but we couldn't talk to them. Music is an international language, though," Hiskett said. "At that point, I was excited to get back to the States. I thought, 'What am I doing trying to make a living in bars and nightclubs playing the drums, when I should be doing children's entertainment?'"

Hiskett came up with a stage name of Willie Whiskett, but that didn't stick. "I realized every washboard performer had washboard in his name, like Washboard Leo or Washboard Sam. So I became Washboard Willy," he explained. Now, Washboard Willy is on the road for 12 months a year, playing up to 200 dates, many of which are craft fairs and festivals. He has a special place for the Alaska State Fair however. This year is the second time he has made his way to Alaska, and he hopes to come back as often as possible.

"After we were first here, we got a letter with 80 signatures on it asking if Washboard Willy was coming back to the state fair," Hiskett said. "We've had such a great, enthusiastic response here. It's one of the most unusual fairs we do. I love it up here. When you walk through the gate, you're a kid again. That's what state fairs are supposed to be like."

Three times a day, Washboard Willy is joined by his wife, Donnis, for a one-hour tour of the fairgrounds, from red gate to purple gate.

Along the way, kids and adults join the parade, playing maracas, shakers, rhythm sticks and other rhythm instruments Washboard Willy hands out.

His upbeat act has become a hit with fairgoers and vendors alike.