Fun things happening this week: Salmonfest, First Friday, Nike Site Summit tour and more (so much more)

We’re hurtling through the final weeks of summer in Southcentral Alaska, and that means it’s full speed ahead on any fun thing that can happen outdoors: music festivals, outdoor adventuring, art walks and more. Here’s just a sample of things going on this weekend.

Salmonfest

One of Alaska’s biggest music festivals is headed to the Kenai Peninsula this weekend, bringing 65 local and national acts spread out over five stages for three days.

Organizers say this year’s event will be spread out over an additional 40 acres to allow for more social distancing, and Salmonfest will limit ticket sales to be 25-30% below full capacity (there will be some tickets available at the gate for walk-ups for those who did not get pre-sale tickets).

Adult day passes are $69-$89 depending on the day, with package deals and special pricing available for teens and seniors; children 12 and under are free when accompanied by a ticket-holding adult. For ticket details, full lineup and schedule, as well as information about camping, visit salmonfestalaska.org. 12:30 p.m. Friday through 9:30 p.m. Sunday, at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik. (16200 Sterling Highway.)

Anchorage First Friday

(All events happening Friday, Aug. 6)

Group exhibition at Bivy — “Rain Makes Little Lakes” deals with the water element and features works by Indra Arriaga, Alicja Khatchikian, Olena Katyliak Davis, Scott McDonald, Jimmy Riordan, Susan Joy Share, Anna Widman and Zinc Comics. See Facebook for details. Opening 5-9 p.m. Friday, on view until Sept. 24. (419 G Street, Suite 100; www.bivy.space)

“Fantasyland” at IGCA — Stephen Gray presents an exhibit of works that feature the deconstruction and recombination of childhood toys. “Stylistically in the tradition of comic grotesque, many of the pieces are akin to fetishes or power objects, often exhibiting a perverse humor to them.” Opening 5-8 p.m. Friday; on view through Aug. 28. (427 D Street; igcaalaska.org)

Dos Manos — The opening reception for Watercolorwoods gallery show will be from 4-6 p.m. (1317 W Northern Lights Blvd.)

2 Friends Gallery — Featuring watercolorists from across the country in the Alaska Watercolor Society juried show as well as pottery by Cordova artist Michael Anderson. Live music by Jeannie McLeod and others. 4-7 p.m. Friday (341 E. Benson Blvd. More details on Facebook)

Georgia Blue Gallery — Steven Gordon will present “New Work,” an exhibition of large-scale landscape paintings. 5-7 p.m. Friday (3555 Arctic Blvd.)

Actor Scarlet Boudreux presents the character of Lillian Watson (1893-1967) during the Anchorage Centennial edition of "Stories at the Cemetery" on Sunday, July 12, 2015. The annual event at Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery featured performers in costume telling the stories of famous, infamous and peculiar Alaskans at their gravesites. The presentations will be repeated at 6 p.m. on Aug. 9, with performances delivered from a stage set up in the cemetery.

Last chance for Stories at the Cemetery

Costumed actors will channel the stories of early Alaskans during this self-guided tour. This is the last cemetery tour at Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery downtown for the summer. Entry is free but donations are accepted for the actors. (You may want to bring your own chair.) The best entry is the John Bagoy Gate at Seventh Ave. and Cordova street. Starts at 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 8.

Hilltop Bike Park grand opening

Hilltop is ready to launch the first lift-assisted bike trails in the Anchorage Bowl with a new bike park. To celebrate, there will be food from Grizzly Dogs and Jeepney 907, a DJ, free coffee from Kaladi’s Coffee Bus, a beer garden and prizes. Noon-5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 7. See Facebook for details. (7015 Abbott Rd.; hilltopskiarea.org)

A roll-in platform for a new bike park is constructed near the top of Hilltop Ski Area in Anchorage on Tuesday, July 13, 2021. (Emily Mesner / ADN)

Galway Days Irish Festival

In its never–ending quest to celebrate all things Irish, the Irish Club of Alaska is back with a hybrid festival. There will be live and pre-recorded performances at the Sydney Laurence Theatre at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts. Also available to online viewers will be a series of workshops on topics including Irish Songs of Wordplay, DADGAD tuning for Guitar, Sligo Fiddle Styles, History of the Irish Harp and more. An all-day pass into the theater is $10 and available through CenterTix. Workshops start at 9 a.m., performances start at 11 a.m. Tickets and more details at irishalaska.org.

Nike Site Summit tour

Friends of Nike Site Summit is hosting a bus tour of the Site Summit, the only one of eight Cold War-era Nike-Hercules missile sites in Alaska still standing. Talk to veterans who were stationed there, find out how the missiles were launched and learn about Alaska’s role in the Cold War.

Tickets are $55 for students 12-17, veterans and senior citizens and $60 for adults; includes round trip bus transportation to the site from the Arctic Valley Lodge parking lot. (All participants must be at least 12 years of age. No infants in carriers are permitted.)

Online registration is preferred. Those without Internet access can arrange reservations by calling 907-929-9870.

Reservations are required no less than three days in advance. 9:30 a.m.-noon and 1:30-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 7 (Additional tours are on Aug. 21; nikesitesummit.net)

Clouds drift over the relics of Nike Site Summit, a Nike Hercules missle military installation east of Anchorage, on October 4, 2020. The Army site was decommissioned in 1979. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Free outdoor concerts:

The Vintage Retro in Town Square Park — Listen to classic rock, funk, Motown, soul, blues and R&B in downtown. Starts at 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday. (See details on Facebook)

LowDown Brass Band at Russian Jack Park — is an all-horn band that leans heavily on dancehall and street beat rhythm, with the energy of hip hop, jazz, reggae, and soul. They’ll play a free concert at Russian Jack Springs Park 7 p.m. Friday at Russian Jack Springs Park. (1600 Lidia Selkregg Ln.; See Facebook for details)

“Pick-nic” in the Park

Bring your instruments and jam with other musicians in a variety of styles at Abbott Loop Community Parka. There’s a covered pavilion in case of bad weather and grills if people want to bring their own food to cook out. Bring your own food, utensils, charcoal, drinks, chairs, etc. This is a free event but donations for the Anchorage Folk Festival are welcome. 4 p.m. Saturday, see Facebook for details.

Reptiles and electric vehicles

All Alaska Reptile & Exotics Expo — If reptiles and other exotic animals are your thing, this is the expo for you. There will be animal breeders, veterinary clinics, reptile rescues, hands-on animal experiences, educational presentations from some of Alaska’s experts and more. $5 general admission, $20 for a household pass, children 6 and under are free. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center in Wasilla (1001 S Clapp St., Wasilla; alaskaexpo.weebly.com)

Electric vehicle show — Bring your electric vehicle and meet fellow enthusiasts, learn about the latest in the industry, and if you don’t own an EV, experience one firsthand courtesy of the Alaska Electric Vehicle Association. There’s even charging on site. Free. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at the Dimond Center (800 E. Dimond Blvd.; dimondcenter.com/events/electric-vehicle-show)

Fun classes

Mushroom ID for people who are bad at mushroom ID — Practice the very basics of how to identify mushrooms and confidently identify a few common Alaska mushrooms. Ideal for adults and teens accompanied by an adult who are just beginning to be curious about fungi. Free program; $5 parking for non-members. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Saturday at the Eagle River Nature Center. (ernc.org; 32750 Eagle River Rd.)

Screen printing essentials — Learn to print T-shirts, posters, fine art prints and other products. Supplies are included; this is a hands-on workshop so come prepared to get a little messy. There will be three sessions: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday Aug. 7, 14 and 21. (411 West Fourth Ave.; tentcitypress.com)

Runners make their way up the switchbacks on the North Face Trail during the Alyeska Climbathon at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, Alaska on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017. Runners have 10 hours to climb the mountain as many times as they can. They ride the tram down the mountain. (Bob Hallinen / Alaska Dispatch News)

Outdoor challenge: 4 peaks 4 weeks

Here’s something for those looking to finish out their summer with a bang. This challenge incorporates four great peaks in the Anchorage/Girdwood/Valley area (Alyeska North Face, O’Malley Peak, Lazy Mountain and Rabbit Lake Trail). Complete each four in August and record your hikes in an app at the peak of the trail (photo and GPS). You’ll be automatically entered for a weekly drawing with each peak completed so you can celebrate with local goods, gear and food. Complete all four peaks and collect your medal. Tickets $15. Find more details at myalaskatix.com.

— Victoria Barber, vbarber@adn.com