Trees are leafing out, people are playing outdoors and all kinds of events are cropping up around Anchorage and the surrounding area. Here are a few of our top picks for Saturday.
Festival
Petals 'N' Spokes
Head to Town Square this weekend for a celebration of things coming into bloom. The Petal 'N' Spokes party will have hanging baskets for sale, live music and activities -- including face-painting, a bubble tower and a giant kayak pool -- to keep the family entertained. Get tips from a master gardener and bid on silent auction items to benefit the "Foster a Flower" program. Children can plant a flower to take home for free. Noon-6 p.m. Saturday in Town Square Park. (anchoragedowntown.org; 279-5655)
Festival
'In-Tent-City' party
Anchorage Community Works along with local artists and like-minded individuals are throwing an event that's part music festival, part art show and part block party in Ship Creek. To mark the hundred years since Anchorage was a tent city, 16 wall tents will be set up around the ACW studio warehouse. There will also be live bands, including Hot Dish and the Anna Lynch Band, food from Urban Bamboo and others, beer and wine served by Spenard Roadhouse and a trebuchet. Yes, a trebuchet. 4 p.m.-1 a.m. Saturday at 349 E. Ship Creek Ave. Park at the Smart Park lot in front of the Comfort Inn Suites for $2. (annualstudioparty.com)
Cars
KOOL Kruz
Car enthusiasts will show off their prized automobiles at the University Center mall north side parking lot on Saturday. After that, there will be a procession to Alaska Raceway Park in Palmer, where vehicles and free hot dogs will be available. Entrants can also "Run What You Brung," racing the clock for the best times on the quarter-mile drag strip. Entry fee is two cans of food for the Food Bank of Alaska. The Blue Voodoo Club offers live music. The Anchorage car show is 9 a.m.-noon; the Palmer raceway event is 1-5 p.m. (344-9622; kool973.com)
Horses
Equifest
Check out the gorgeous horses, barrel racing, mounted shooting and trick riding at Equifest in South Anchorage. A rodeo-style grand entry will begin at noon, and food and vendors will be on site. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, William Clark Chamberlain Equestrian Center, near Ruth Arcand Park, on Abbott Road between Lake Otis and Elmore. (310-1971; anchoragehorsecouncil.com)