1st Saturday Vendor Market

WASILLA — The 1st Saturday Vendor Market is returning to the Mat-Su Borough Gym Saturday, Dec. 7. from 11 am to 5 p.m.

Market organizer Casey Kruger said there will be 30 vendors participating in this month's market. She said there will be a wide variety of booths to browse through, ranging from handcrafted knives to locally sourced honey. There will also be a face painting booth.

"It's been a really great option. I'm glad we can offer it to the vendor community," Kruger said. "You just really make those connections with people that last."

Kruger and her husband F. Jay set out to create a welcoming space for local small business owners to highlight their goods and services after starting up their own barbecue sauce company, Fox Sauce LLC.

Kruger said this market focuses on offering handmade items that were created by Alaskan vendors. She said one of their main goals is to highlight the skills, passion, and dedication of local artisans.

"I think the vendor community is so talented up here," Kruger said.

The 1st Saturday Vendor Market runs from October to May. Kruger said they take a break during the summer so the vendors can focus on their busy schedules packed with events across the state.

This is the third season of the annual marketplace. Kruger said they’ve received a lot of positive feedback from vendors and visitors alike, and they feel greatly encouraged to keep pushing forward.

Kruger said that she aims to keep this tradition going, and she would like to expand to a larger venue in the future to accommodate for the continued growth they've been seeing.

"I'm privileged and blessed. Despite the hard work, it's all worth it," Kruger said.

Members of the public are invited to shop with their friends and family at the 1st Saturday Vendor Market to support local small businesses in a fun and welcoming environment. Local vendors are also encouraged to reach out for more information about participating if they're interested.

For more information about the 1st Saturday Vendor Market, visit the official Facebook page or call 907-715-2018.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com