It’s the last weekend of July and, despite the rain, there’s still plenty of summer to soak in. The Anchorage Weekender rounded up 11 things to do this weekend, from a silver salmon derby to a wine walk.
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1. Biking and birds
Thursday, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Point Woronzof Overlook (7251 Point Woronzof Rd.)
Experts from Audubon Alaska will lead a 5.5-mile bike ride along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, stopping at birding hotspots along the way. The ride will end at 49th State Brewing (717 W. 3rd Ave.), where riders can enjoy food and drinks.
2. Night of baseball
Friday, 5 to 8 p.m., Mulcahy Stadium (498 E. 16th Ave.)
Watch the Anchorage Bucs face off against the Anchorage Glacier Pilots before the regular baseball season ends on July 30. Admission is free. There will be food and drinks available for purchase, but the game could get canceled if it’s pouring rain, so check the Pilots Facebook page before heading to the ballpark.
3. Wine Walk in Palmer
Friday, 4:30 to 9 p.m., Palmer Museum of History and Art (723 S. Valley Way)
Visit local businesses and stroll through downtown while sipping a variety of curated wines. Tickets are $75, and the event is open to adults 21 and older. You can bring a designated driver for free, but they must also be 21 or older.
4. Culmination Festival
Saturday, 2 to 6 p.m., Anchorage Brewing Co. (148 W. 91st Ave.)
Anchorage has plenty of its own breweries, but more than 100 different beers from around the world will be available to sample at this festival. Tickets are $125 and include live music and food from Familia, a small pop-up restaurant.
5. Dog Jog
Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon, Service High School (5577 Abbott Rd.)
Take your furry friend on a one-mile or 5K walk or run through the trails behind the high school as part of a fundraiser for Friends of Pets, a local animal welfare organization. Attendees can enjoy live demonstrations, flyball and contests. Make a donation of any amount to register.
6. Spenard Art Studio’s final hurrah
Saturday, noon to 5 p.m., Spenard Art Studio (2263 Spenard Rd.)
The studio is closing its doors at the end of the month. Say goodbye to the space while mingling and sharing memories with community members and local artisans. Original artwork and other creative pieces will be for sale at discounted prices.
7. Disability pride celebration
Saturday, noon to 4 p.m., Delaney Park Strip (W. 9th Ave.)
Disability Pride Month is observed every July. Mingle with other community members at this annual festival, which includes live music, games, a petting zoo, local vendors and more. Organizers say the free event celebrates the strength, diversity and contributions of individuals in the community.
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8. Plant Sale
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Government Hill Commons (803 Erickson St.)
Alaska is home to a variety of greenery. Check out a cornucopia of native plants from vendors including Bear Mountain Forest Nursery, Paul Marmora, Jamie Rodrigues, Anchorage Soil and Water and more.
9. Multicultural Festival
Saturday, noon to 8 p.m., Chinook Parking Lot (225 E St.)
The city’s multicultural festival packs an afternoon full of cultural diversity, inclusivity and connection. This free, outdoor event includes a variety of live performances, cultural demonstrations and workshops, along with family-friendly activities.
10. Coho Rodeo
Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., The Bait Shack (212 W. Whitney Rd.)
This isn’t your typical rodeo. Instead of livestock, residents will be trying to wrangle silver salmon, or coho, from Ship Creek. Get your derby ticket for $25 and be sure to have your sport fishing license with you. Anglers can enter up to three salmon. Prizes will be given to the first fish, heaviest fish and smallest fish by weight.
11. Dipnetting
Still on the salmon stream,the Alaska Department of Fish and Game opened up dipnetting for sockeye salmon in Wasilla’s Fish Creek through July 31. Fishing is allowed between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. daily. The creek, known as the “happy fishery,” is the only personal-use dipnet fishery on the road system in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.
Of course, anglers can dipnet the Kenai and Kasilof rivers until July 31 and Aug. 7, respectively. Don’t forget to report your fish harvests by Aug. 15, and don’t forget your permit.
If you have an event for a future Anchorage Weekender, email [email protected].
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