Amazing market weekend

Posted by Alaskology

Posted: May 12, 2008 - 4:33 pm

Dogs -- including Zorro here -- seem to love the Anchorage Market and Festival just about as much as people. In fact, there are free dog biscuts available near the entrance to the market and plenty of furry Fidos were enjoying the treats.

The organizers of the Anchorage Market and Festival couldn't have asked for a better Saturday.

The sun was shining. It was warm. The smell of funnel cakes and reindeer sausage floated through the air. It really was a perfect way to begin what hopefully will be an enjoyable summer full of fun weekends.

People flocked to the first Anchorage Market and Festival of the season Saturday in downtown Anchorage. The market sets up each Saturday and Sunday through Sept. 7.

I won't make it downtown every weekend. It's usually my goal to make it to the market a couple times a summer. I got a bit of a head start by getting into the act the first weekend. For visitors, it's definitely worth a couple hours of time to walk around and see a huge variety of goods -- many of them handmade by Alaskans -- and tasty food.

One of the musical acts at the Anchorage Market and Festival performs on the opening Saturday of the year.

And if you like people or dog watching, this is the place.

Check back in a couple days for a video of the opening weekend at the market.

-- Steve

How to get there: The market sets up each Saturday and Sunday through Sept. 7 in a large parking lot at the corner of E Street and Third Avenue in downtown Anchorage. Access is also easy from C Street.

A couple youngsters enjoy one of the new attractions at the market this year -- a small kid-powered train.

This 10-week-old puppy had perhaps the best location at the Anchorage Market and Festival -- a cushy bed in the sunshine.

This puppy enjoys a free treat at the market.

Elaina and Zeke enjoy a cupcake during Saturday's market at the corner of E Street and Third Avenue.

Reindeer sausages are one of the hot-selling items at the Anchorage Market and Festival -- along with salmon quesadillas, Thai food, corn on the cob, halibut, lemonade, funnel cakes and a variety of other foods.

Les Burtner works the spatula at his Salmon Express food booth at the Anchorage Market and Festival. Les' speciality is salmon quesadillas.

Market fans come in all sizes -- and even with special modes of transportation.

login or register to post comments