Day 82: Girdwood Forest Fair

July 5, 2014

Today we woke to a cloudy, drizzle. The wind was gusting to 25 mph through the Portage Valley. The temperature was a little warmer this morning and we didn't have to use the furnace – just put on a sweatshirt.

After breakfast showers, etc, we headed over to Girdwood to Forest Fair – the community festival held July 4-6 this year. We weren't sure exactly what to expect but we had been told there would be food vendors and arts and craft booths. There was a parade at 10:00 today. We didn't go to the parade but according to someone who did, he “saw quite a few people who would have fit in well at Woodstock.” This fair was certainly nothing like our county fairs at home and not like the Springville's Homestead Hollow either. The food vendors had some wonderfully interesting foods. Most were probably very familiar to the locals but were different to us. The Talkeetna Spinich Bread food truck was there and seemed very popular. We had that when we were in Talkeetna and know it was good but opted to try something different. There was buffalo burgers, several Thai food booths, a gyro booth, Canadian Fries with salt and vinegar, and tater pigs just to name a few. We decided to try the gyro and a tater pig. Both were very good but the gyro was the best. The pita was so fresh, along with very fresh veggies and cucumber sauce and very tender lamb. The best gyro we have had in a long time. The arts and craft vendors had some very nice work. Of course there were some “different” booths in that category as well - like the short denim skirt it look like someone had been painting in selling for $33.00. There were some gorgeous photos, prints, paintings, quilts, jewelery. And then there were tutu's? And people were buying then a putting them on over whatever they were wearing. Girdwood is an artsy community it seems but the people attending the fair were from all the surrounding areas. We decided it was multi-decade, multi-generational counter-cultural fair. Certainly some of the attire of the attendees was straight from the Woodstock era. But also some 70's and 80's stuff too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sign at the entrance to the fair said “No Dogs, No Politics and No Religious Orders.” Girdwood Chapel found a way to minister in spite of those rules. There is no parking at or close to the fair. All the parking is blocked off. Parking is off site maybe ¼ mile at closest. Girdwood Chapel is about ¼ mile away so they charge $10.00 for parking in their lot as a fundraiser for the building fund, but then open the church to let anyone use the restrooms, and give free water and water melon to people who park there. They come in the church before walking to and when returning from the fair and use the restrooms, visit and cool down with some free bottled water. People seemed to really appreciate it, especially since there was a long line at the Port-a-Potties at the fair. When we were at church last Sunday, we volunteered to help park cars today. We had a good time talking to everyone and learning more about the area. What was really funny was that when we pulled in and parked, we parked next to a truck from Talladega. How crazy is that!

Well that's about it for today. We will be going to Girdwood Chapel for church tomorrow and then helping with parking again if needed. Might even go back to the fair and get another gyro.