6 things to do in Anchorage and Southcentral Alaska this weekend

Southcentral Alaska is heading deeper into festival season, and this weekend’s lineup of events reflects the range of cultural celebrations we can look forward to all summer. Gatherings celebrating Pride, the Korean community and all things mountain bike are on tap this weekend, plus the Alaska Scottish Highland Games are happening in Palmer.

‘Blanche Stuart Scott’ performances

7 p.m. Friday, 7 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday; Cyrano’s Theatre, 3800 DeBarr Road

This comedic play written by Kristen Ritter and directed by Kalli Randall is set in 1910 and follows the title character’s journey after she decides to be one of the first women to drive across the country — accompanied by a cynical reporter friend and a mysterious passenger they pick up. The Anchorage run of “Blanche Stuart Scott” will serve as a fundraiser to help get the show’s cast to the SheLA Summer Theater Festival in July. Tickets are $30.

Alaska Scottish Highland Games

8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday; Alaska State Fairgrounds, 2075 Glenn Highway in Palmer

The 43rd annual Highland Games features all things Scottish: Highland dance, heavy athletics, musical performances, whiskey and mead tastings, a haggis-eating contest, salmon tossing, a “kilted mile” race, Celtic marketplace, and many more events and attractions. Also hosting the 2024 Alaska Scottish Highland Games Women’s World Championships, featuring 10 of the world’s top female throwers. Gates open at 8 a.m. both days. Single-day tickets are $15 in advance for those 16 or older, $20 at the door; $7 for youths 6 to 15 years old, with free admission for kids 5 and under; other ticket options are also available. For a schedule of events and more information, visit alaskanscottish.org.

Korea-Alaska Friendship Day Festival

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday; Dimond Center’s east parking lot, 800 E. Dimond Blvd.

Enjoy food, games, a talent show, door prizes and more in this celebration of the Korean community in Alaska and the relationship between the state and the Republic of Korea. Live performances include a special appearance by Chicago-based K-pop dance group Prism Kru. Held at the Dimond mall’s east parking lot next to Best Buy.

Anchorage Pride Parade and Festival

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; Delaney Park Strip, 1001 W. Ninth Ave.

With a theme of Northern Rights, the 2024 Anchorage Pride Festival includes local vendors, food trucks, musicians, drag artists and a celebration of LGBTQ2IA+ community members. The Anchorage Pride Parade, presented by Alaskans Together Foundation, will make a trip around the Park Strip at 11:30 a.m.

[For more: Here are some of the big Anchorage Pride events coming up]

Alaska Mountain Bike Festival

1-6 p.m. Saturday; Hilltop Ski Area, 7015 Abbott Road

This inaugural festival at Hilltop features riding and bike repair clinics, mountain bike demos, vendors, a strider bike race, kids’ games and more. Plus, riders can compete in the first race in the Kendall Toyota of Anchorage Downhill Mountain Bike Race Series. Provisions will be available from food trucks and Finn’s Kitchen. Find more information at hilltopskiarea.org.

Brown Bear Summer Festival

3 p.m. Saturday; Brown Bear Saloon, 28065 Seward Highway in Indian

The Brown Bear Saloon will host live music outdoors and indoors for this summer shindig featuring a variety of performers. Attendees can also enjoy burgers and hot dogs. Admission is $30 at the door.