It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Alaska Vintage Market and Food Truck Fest

PALMER — Valley residents have the chance to get some of their holidays shopping done at the Alaska Vintage Market this weekend at the Alaska State Fairgrounds.

“It’s awesome I was glad they were able to have it,” local mother Ashley Beegle said.

A variety of vendors sold locally crafted goods within the fair’s livestock barn area while food trucks lined up along the nearby pathways. Most of the vendors decorated their areas with Christmas themes, Alaska Soda Jerk employees wore elf costumes, and there was even a section dedicated to sit on a Christmas moose to take pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Beegle walked through the outdoor market with her 7-year old-son Owen who was dressed up in a green tunic as Link from the Legend of Zelda video game series. The iconic character resembles an elf with pointy ears and long stockcap, so Owen fit right in with the Christmas imagery as he got his picture taken on top of the moose.

“Even though we’re not nearly close to Christmas... it’s good to have people shopping and getting out,” Alaska Chicks Co. employee Madelyn Leingang said. “I’m very grateful we’re able to do it.”

Event manager Ella Embree and her husband James are running this year’s market, which is hosted annually by Alaska Chicks Co. She previously stated that Alaska Chicks Co. founder and owner Charity Folcik came up with the idea five years ago, starting out of the Palmer Train Depot.

“I would definitely keep Alaska Chicks and Alaska Vintage Market as one word,” Embree told the Frontiersman.

This is Leingang’s third Vintage Market. She said she’s worked at the Alaska Chick’s Wasilla store for the last four years. She grew up in the Valley and sees a lot of familiar faces and friendly shoppers each year. She said that she saw her old babysitter at this year’s market.

“Everyone can relax and have a good time,” Leingang said. “When they’re here they want to be here which makes it a whole lot easier for us.”

Alaska Chicks was just one of several local vendors at the market. Leingang marveled at all the local talent on display.

“I think they’re very creative. It’s really amazing what they come up with,” Leingang said. “With Palmer, everyone supports local. I think as a community we’re really appreciate and admire when people create their own stuff.”

The Alaska Vintage Market Food Truck Fest continues through Sunday and posts livestream videos of the event on Facebook. For more information, visit the event page on Facebook.

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