We’ve officially reached that time of year when the sun blinds you through the windshield and every glance at the mountains becomes a check for fresh snow.

This week brings First Friday, one last trip to the State Fair, live comedy, new additions around town, and a local story worth knowing.

In the Roundup this week:

Here’s what’s happening around town 👇

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🎨 First Friday — Downtown + Surrounding Neighborhoods (Fri)
First Friday returns with new art and events popping up around Anchorage. This month, check out the premiere of STAGES: Art by Adrienne Stohr at The Nave, grab a bite at the Museum during First Friday Food on the Lawn, or make your way to other participating galleries and businesses around town.

🎡 Alaska State Fair — Alaska State Fairgrounds (Thu–Mon)
It’s your last chance to make it to the Alaska State Fair before the gates close for the year. Spend closing weekend loading up on fair food, checking out the livestock and exhibits, catching live performances, browsing vendors, and squeezing in your favorite fair traditions one more time.

😂 Josh Blue — The Aurora Room (Sat, 6 PM & 8:30 PM)
Comedian Josh Blue comes to Anchorage for two shows at The Aurora Room, formerly the Hard Rock Cafe. Blue won Last Comic Standing in 2006, finished third on America’s Got Talent in 2021, and has since become a touring headliner with multiple comedy specials under his belt.

🛣️ Could Fireweed Be the Next Spenard?

Fireweed Lane has plenty of local businesses, but also a noticeable number of empty storefronts. Anchorage planners and economists think an upcoming redesign of the street could help change that, making Fireweed safer, more inviting, and eventually more of a destination like Spenard. Public comments on the road project are open through October.

📰 Anchorage Press — Back in Print
After a four-year hiatus, the Anchorage Press is back! The first print edition arrives this Wednesday, Sept. 2. You can subscribe to have editions mailed right to your door. There’s also a launch party Thursday, Sept. 3 at Akela Space.
🎉 Launch Party — Akela Space (Thu, 6–10 PM)
📱 @anchpress
🌐 anchoragepress.com

🫎 Potter Marsh — New Boardwalks
Potter Marsh is getting two new boardwalks on its southeast end, including a 200-foot walkway for wildlife viewing and a new ramp providing better access to winter recreation like ice skating. The additions follow recent parking improvements and are expected to open to the public this week.
📍 18642 Old Seward Hwy
🔗 Read more

🧦 Skinny Raven Sports — Performance Ruffle Socks
Running socks, but with ruffles. Skinny Raven is now carrying Saturday Strides, a women-focused running brand and home of the original performance ruffle sock. They’re designed for running while adding a little more personality to the usual performance sock lineup.
📍 Skinny Raven Downtown | Skinny Raven Dimond
🎥 See the socks

Browse 50+ events happening over the next seven days, filter by category, and discover what’s happening around Anchorage. You'll still find my Top Picks in the newsletter, while the full calendar is available online.

👉 View the Events Calendar

Whether you’re making one last trip to the fair, wandering through art displays for First Friday, or catching some comedy, there’s plenty happening around town this week.

If you found something useful, share it with a friend who isn’t emotionally prepared to see snow on the mountains.

— Klynt
Publisher, The Anchorage Local

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