I have family in town this week, so I've been playing tourist. So far we've hiked Barbara Falls, walked the Coastal Trail, and rode the Anchorage Trolley. It was my first time doing the trolley tour, and honestly, it was a blast. I was surprised by how many stories about Anchorage I'd never heard before. 10/10 would recommend doing it at least once.

With the Fourth of July this weekend, things are a little quieter than usual, but there's still plenty happening around town.

In the Roundup this week:

Here’s what’s happening around town 👇

As we head into Independence Day weekend, I wanted to spotlight the Alaska Air National Guard.

Unlike Active Duty military members who often move from base to base, many members of the Alaska Air National Guard already call Alaska home. They're our neighbors, coworkers, friends, and family members who serve their communities while continuing to live, work, and play here.

Whether they're serving locally or wherever duty calls, they represent Alaska with pride while balancing military service with everyday life at home.

☎ Questions? Call (907) 644-8033
👉 Learn More About the Air National Guard

🎆 4th of July Celebration — Delaney Park (Sat, 10:00 AM)
Anchorage celebrates Independence Day with a full day of festivities downtown. The day includes a downtown parade, live music, food vendors, carnival rides, family activities, patriotic ceremonies, and ends with the annual Glacier Pilots vs. Anchorage Bucs baseball doubleheader followed by fireworks.

🌲 Girdwood Forest Fair — Forest Fairgrounds (Fri–Sun)
Girdwood fills with local artists, musicians, food vendors, and handmade goods all weekend long. Wander through booths, grab something good to eat, catch live music, and spend the afternoon exploring one of Alaska's favorite summer festivals.

🎨 First Friday — Downtown Anchorage (Fri)
Downtown comes alive Friday evening as local businesses and galleries showcase artwork, live music, food, and special events. Check the online map before you head out, and don't miss the Anchorage Museum, where admission is free after 6 PM.

🍔 Food Truck Carnival — Spenard (Thu, 11:00 AM)
Thursday lunches are better with food trucks. Head to the Windmill in Spenard for a rotating lineup of local food trucks, and be sure to check the Food Truck Carnival's social media on Tuesday to see this week's roster.

🧭 Gateway to the Mat-Su Valley

The new Mat-Su Gateway Visitors Center isn't just for visitors. It's a great first stop for locals looking to discover more of the borough. Interactive kiosks can help you build a custom itinerary with places to eat, stay, and explore, then send the route directly to your phone.

Whether you're headed to Palmer, Hatcher Pass, Talkeetna, or somewhere in between, it's an easy way to find new places for your next Alaska adventure.

📍 2764 S E Matanuska Spur, Palmer, AK 99645
🕒 Daily • 10:00 AM-6:00 PM
🌐 Learn More

🌿 Natural Burial Cemetery Coming to Anchorage
Anchorage is one step closer to its first natural burial cemetery after the Assembly approved land on the Hillside for the project. Natural burials avoid embalming and non-biodegradable materials, offering an alternative for those looking for a more environmentally conscious burial option.

The proposed cemetery will be located off Golden View Drive near the southern end of Potter Marsh.

📦 Amazon Brings Next-Day Delivery to Anchorage
Eligible Amazon orders can now arrive the next day in Anchorage. It's a milestone years in the making and brings one of the biggest conveniences of the Lower 48 a little closer to home.

☕ Little Rituals Coffee — Grand Opening
A new coffee shop is opening its doors downtown this week. Little Rituals is bringing coffee, matcha, tea, bagel sandwiches, and chopped salads. A good reminder that mornings deserve a little more ritual than routine.

📍 508 W. 2nd Ave.
📆 Grand Opening: July 3–5 • 7:00 AM–3:00 PM
🕒 Regular Hours: Wed–Sun • 7:00 AM–3:00 PM
📱 @littlerituals.ak

🏺 Devils Club Pottery — Now Open
A new community pottery studio in Midtown, offering classes, workshops, pottery sales, and open studio time for beginners and experienced artists alike. The queer-owned studio aims to create an inclusive space where people can learn, create, and connect through pottery.

📍 1200 W. Northern Lights Blvd. (Next to Hearth Artisan Pizza)
🕒 Mon–Fri • 11:30 AM–9:00 PM
🕒 Sat–Sun • 3:00 PM–9:00 PM
📱 @devilsclubpottery
🌐 devilsclurb.com

💬 Know about a new business, product, or project? Submit it here.

I’ve moved the event and live music listings to events.theanchoragelocal.com.

Browse 50+ upcoming events, filter by category, and start planning your week as early as Monday morning. You'll still find my Top Picks in the newsletter, while the full calendar is now available online.

👉 View the Events Calendar

Congratulations to Beth Bishop (@bethabishop), who won two tickets to Rock the Hill! Thanks to everyone who entered through Instagram and the newsletter.

My goal is to make community raffles a regular part of The Anchorage Local, so stay tuned for more chances to win from local businesses and organizations.

Wishing you a fun Fourth of July weekend! Whether you’re staying in Anchorage or heading on a road trip, I hope you enjoy these long summer days while we have them.

— Klynt
Publisher, The Anchorage Local

P.S. If you're a local business interested in partnering with The Anchorage Local, just reply to this email. I'd love to chat.

The Anchorage Local is supported by local businesses and organizations that believe in helping people experience more of Anchorage.