New holiday shopping, entertainment, and dining event showcases Spenard small businesses

You’ve heard of First Friday; now Anchorage has another arts and culture destination: Spenard’s very own 2nd Saturday.

This Saturday, Dec. 10, more than 30 local businesses, artists, and organizations are bringing the community, “A Very Spenard Christmas,” featuring exclusive shopping deals, live entertainment, and delicious food.

Shoppers are invited to stop by as many participating businesses as time allows to take full advantage of various specials, plus the chance to enter to win a Spenard-themed prize package valued at $500.

Spenard is a hub for artists, creatives, trendsetters, and go-getters. A group of neighborhood businesses, churches, and individuals saw a need to celebrate the good in Spenard while also bringing hope to a neighborhood that has often been neglected.

Co-hosted by local Spenard businesses and community leaders, Spenard 2nd Saturday (S2S) is a new community engagement effort held on the second Saturday of every month. The mission of Spenard 2nd Saturday is to celebrate neighborhood businesses, champion the creatives, and give back to our community.

The goal is to revitalize the neighborhood by elevating local businesses and partnering with local nonprofits and charities to give back. The hope is to inspire the larger community to do the same by inviting them to experience our unique and eclectic neighborhood. 

Some highlights of A Very Spenard Christmas include:

• Moose hide scraping and Christmas card making with Artist in Residence Melissa Shaginoff at The Nave at 3502 Spenard Rd. from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
  
  
• Art for sale by Duke Russell, recent recipient of the Rasmuson Foundation President’s Award, at The Nave at 3502 Spenard Rd. from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

• Grand opening of Rage City Vintage at 3400 Spenard Rd, Ste. 104 from 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.

• Girl Scout Troop 436 will have their handmade lip balms for sale, raising funds for care kits for those experiencing homelessness from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at WILCO SUPPLY at 3400 Spenard Rd., Ste. 218.

Attached is graphic with details on this event.  More information is on the Facebook Event here.

Media is invited to cover A Very Spenard Christmas. Those interested should contact Sirsha McPeek, S2S coordinator at (907) 803-3044 or sirsha.mcpeek@gmail.com.