Anchorage, October has arrived, and suddenly my calendar needs its own equipment bag.
Something green and gold for hockey. Something comfortable for a garden stroll. A little extra room for whatever catches my eye at the craft fair. Apparently, getting out around town now requires more wardrobe planning than a wedding.
But the Seawolves are back at Sullivan Arena this weekend, and that feels like a pretty good reason to dig out the green and gold.
Meanwhile, I’m working on my second Founding Partner, and it has been SO much fun helping tell the story of my first: Natural Pantry. There’s some amazing history there, and I can’t wait for you all to hear it. One of my favorite parts of this work is discovering how much story lives behind places we think we already know.
This weekend offers a few more chances to look closer—and one chance to find out who has been opening everybody’s pickle jars.
Founding Partner Spotlight: Natural Pantry
Natural Pantry, our first Founding Partner, is celebrating 50 years in Alaska! Make sure to got pay them a visit!
Sponsored by Natural Pantry, a Founding Partner of Mr Anchorage.
3680 Barrow St, Anchorage, AK 99503
Alaska BOOtanical Garden
Where: Alaska Botanical Garden, 4601 Campbell Airstrip Road
When: Saturday–Sunday, October 3–4, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.; last entry at 5:30 p.m.
Admission: $8 for ages 7 and older; free for members and children 6 and younger.
Spooky season does not have to begin with somebody chasing you through a warehouse.
The garden’s seasonal BOOtanical celebration offers an outdoor wander with fairy houses and a little October imagination. Bring the family, take your time and enjoy a version of Halloween where the scenery gets to do the entertaining. Dress for an outdoor stroll… your costume can have layers.
More info: Garden hours and admission · BOOtanical fairy houses
Jen Bravo-Grulkey / Blue Raven Beadwork Show
Where: The Rockwell, inside Hotel Captain Cook, 939 W. Fifth Avenue
When: Friday, October 2. Suggested evening viewing: 5–8 p.m., within the gallery’s published hours. Opening reception hours have not been posted.
Some art asks you to step back. Beadwork makes you lean in.
Jen Bravo-Grulkey, the maker behind Blue Raven, is The Rockwell’s featured October First Friday artist, bringing beaded jewelry into the spotlight. Make this an after-work stop for the kind of intricate, patient craftsmanship that makes your own “quick little project” at home feel increasingly ambitious.
More info: Official First Friday lineup · Gallery hours
Feria Artesanal
Where: Anchorage Museum, 625 C Street
When: Friday, October 2, 6–9 p.m.
Admission: Free and open to the public.
Your Friday night could use a little more handmade and considerably less scrolling.
Feria Artesanal brings artists and cultural representatives from the Latino diaspora together for an evening of traditional crafts, handmade art, live music, food and cultural expression. Browse, meet the makers and learn the stories behind their work. Selected pieces will be available to purchase, should your “just looking” plan encounter a beautiful obstacle.
More info: Feria Artesanal event details
ARMageddon in Anchorage
Where: Guido’s Pizza, 549 W. International Airport Road
When: Saturday, October 3; weigh-ins at 5:30 p.m., competition at 6:30 p.m.
Admission: Free to watch; $25 to compete.
Finally, a sporting event with direct applications to stubborn jar lids.
ARMageddon brings an arm-wrestling tournament to Guido’s, with men’s and women’s competition and plenty of reasons to cheer from the sidelines. Come for the showdown, settle in for pizza and discover how invested you can become in two people moving one hand a surprisingly short distance.
Spectating requires enthusiasm. Competing requires considerably more forearm.
More info: Tournament details and schedule
PIC-A-Truck 2026
Where: Clark Middle School, 150 Bragaw Street
When: Sunday, October 4, 2–5 p.m.
Admission: Free; reserve a time online. Children under 18 must attend with a parent or legal guardian.
For everyone who has ever pointed at a passing vehicle and announced “TRUCK!” with the urgency of breaking news: this is your afternoon.
Programs for Infants and Children brings trucks, emergency vehicles and heavy equipment together for a family outing built around exploring the big stuff. Music and story time round out the afternoon, while fundraising supports PIC’s Diaper Pantry.
Big vehicles, little admirers and a good reason to get the family out of the house.
More info and reservations: PIC-A-Truck 2026
Honorable Mention: Seawolves Back at the Sully
Where: Sullivan Arena, 1600 Gambell Street
When: Friday, October 2, at 7 p.m., and Saturday, October 3, at 5 p.m.
Last week, we circled the dates. This week, we get to make some noise.
UAA faces the University of Denver at Sullivan Arena for two nights of hockey. Pull out the green and gold, bring somebody who remembers games at the Sully—or somebody ready to make their first memory there—and help welcome the Seawolves back.
More info: Official UAA schedule · Tickets for both games
That’s your weekend, Anchorage.
Admire something handmade. Cheer somebody on. Let a small person explain a very large truck to you.
I’ll keep digging into the stories behind our local businesses. You dig out the green and gold. Between us, we should have October properly underway.
See you around town and go Seawolves!
— Mr Anchorage
