Saturday open-air market begins May 18.

• Author: Pilkington, Steve
• Position: Alaska This Month - Produce, seafood available - Brief Article

So summer is here and spending your time indoors seems tantamount to wearing a fur-lined parka and snow boots for a sunny stroll. Shopping and eating are still necessities right? What better way to meld the season with a reason than to take in the lengthy sunshine while spending money on yourself or those in your life?

The Downtown Saturday Market begins May 18 and is held for 18 Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Sept. 14. And with the number of tourists and locals who have taken advantage of Anchorage's large open-air market, it is easy to see why it has been such a success. Vendors already are banking on a busy season and spaces at the market were purchased far in advance.

Market organizers say the peak days of the market draw crowds of people between 15,000 and 20,000 per day to the parking lot on Third Avenue between C and E streets.

"That's the peak of the tourism season," said Leeann Brewster, market assistant for Anchorage Markets, the company behind the event. "It gets very busy."

Shoppers can find a huge variety of goods from local and statewide businesses. There is fresh Alaska produce, seafood from local waters and both foods to eat while shopping or others packaged to take home. There are unique works of art, Alaska-made crafts from around the state and all sorts of souvenirs and gifts for the traveler. The offerings change depending on which vendors are there for the market that day.

"We have free entertainment," Brewster said, including wandering entertainers who can keep the young children happy and occupied. Though the usual fare of burgers, ribs and steak tacos also will be within reach, market organizers are adding some changes to the menu. "We have some...