It wouldn’t be July in Alaska unless people were readying to run up Mount Marathon in blazing fashion and then come cascading down. The July 4 event is a must-watch at least once, even if your knees beg you not to attempt it. https://mountmarathon.com/ It’s of course too late to register anyway, but it’s definitely possible to watch legends—David Norris and Allie Ostrander are registered—from the comfort of your lawn chair. Plan ahead and get to Seward the day before….You can also catch a parade in any number of larger and smaller communities across the state….Anchorage has a parade along the Delaney Park Strip followed by a reading of the Declaration of Independence…. Seldovia’s Fourth of July celebration starts with a pancake breakfast, features a parade and ends with live music….Bethel also has a parade, followed by activities in Pinky’s Park such as family-friendly games, food vendors and music….Later in the month, head to Fairbanks for its summer arts festival, July 19-Aug. 2. The festival offers performances, hundreds of workshops that span genres from visual to performing arts and beyond. https://www.fsaf.org/ The event is supported in part by a grant from the Alaska State Council on the Arts and the NEA America 250 program…. Low-income seniors should avail themselves of the farmers market program. With it, seniors receive $55 to buy locally grown fruits, vegetables, herbs and honey at many farmers markets in the state. Alaska residents are eligible if they have an income less than 185% of the federal poverty level or are receiving commodity supplemental food program benefits. Contact https://health.alaska.gov/en/services/senior-farmers-market to see if you are eligible or use the Healthy Together App:
http://www.healthytogether.co/support/download-healthy-together…. Valdez has an unusual festival July 25 at the Kelsey Dock. It will become the site of a gathering of local yoga teachers and hosted by Sauna Valdez. It’s also the opening day of the Valdez Silver Salmon Derby.
Rambles is compiled from senior center newsletters, websites and reader tips from around the state. Email your Rambles items to editor@seniorvoicealaska.com.
