While there are numerous activities available to Anchorage residents and their visitors, a summer visit to downtown Anchorage traditionally includes a stop at the Anchorage Market & Festival Saturday Market, which opens for the season Saturday, May 13, 2006.

The Anchorage Downtown Saturday Market began as an outdoor market in 1992 with two-dozen vendors.

Due to its increasing popularity, the Saturday Market has now grown to more than 300 vendors, and recently added Sunday Market to keep up with the demands of the more than 668,000 visitors each season.

Special Summer Events and Announcements

• The 2006 season kicks Saturday, May 13, 2006, off with the Providence Medical Center “Kids Safe” ID program. Offered free to parents, it includes a confidential photo and fingerprint of a child.

• Father’s Day will be celebrated June 17 – 18, 2006, with great discounts for Dads along with an ugly tie contest.

• Check out the all-new Alaska Made tent, which will be shared by four new vendors and an Alaska author who will be selling and signing their books.

• The Wednesday Market is open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., July 9 – Aug. 27, 2006, at the Northway Mall parking lot.

• Don’t miss the 20th annual Bear Paw Festival held in Eagle River, July 14 – 16, 2006. This festival promises to be fun for the whole family with many great attractions such as the Grand Parade, car shows, Slippery Salmon Olympics and carnival rides.

Find more great activities and weekly highlights online at www.anchoragemarkets.com