Hello from the Alaska Gal, Pauline Hofseth.

There is nowhere on earth that I would rather be than living in the great state of Alaska and in the beautiful City of Anchorage.

This Friday, like Americans all across our great land, Anchorage will be celebrating America's Independence Day with a parade down "Main Street", family picnics in our beautiful parks, barbeques in the backyard and viewing the All-American game of baseball. Here in Anchorage the biggest game of the year is played on the Fourth of July.

The official Anchorage celebration is an all day event which begins at 8:00 am with a traditional Pancake Breakfast on the Delaney Park Strip (9^th & G). The breakfast includes a beverage, hot pancakes and bacon, all for a $5 donation. Proceeds go to The Salvation Army.

Our annual veteran's and community parade begins at 11:00. Our "Main Street" parade follows a rectangular route (9^th to E St to 6^th Ave to K St). This year the parade theme celebrates "THE PRICE OF FREEDOM". Leading the parade of floats and marching bands, will be the 500 athletes who will participate in the Annual National Veteran's Wheelchair Games later in the day.

Following the parade, there will be a FAMILY PICNIC ON DELANEY PARK STRIP ( 1 - 6 p.m.). The Anchorage Family Picnic features exhibits, patriotic and cultural events, games for kids of all ages, food (or pack your own) and musical entertainment. The Harvard Club will open the Family Picnic celebrations with a reading of The Declaration of Independence at the Delaney Park Strip Flagpole.

Cheers will be heard for "miles around" at the 26th Annual National Veteran Wheelchair Games. Competitors race down the parade route in Hand Cycle Races. After the races, stay around and you should soon see those who have made the run from Fairbanks to Anchorage in Sadler's Ultra Challenge begin to cross the finish line.

Of course, no celebration is complete without fireworks. The land of the midnight sun celebrates with a fireworks show at midnight in Mulcahy Stadium (remember we are called the land of the midnight sun because it is still daylight at midnight; but it is the darkest part of the day).

Eagle River celebrates their Independence Day just a little early on July 3^rd with an Independence Day Extravaganza from 6 p.m. to Midnight at the Eagle River Lions Park. A spectacular fireworks display at midnight ends the event.

Another celebration, The Great Alaska Salmon Bake and Fly-by ($25 for adults and $15 for children), will be held on July 4, 2008 (3 - 9 p.m.) at the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum. The event will feature vintage aircraft, live music, games, a silent auction, a book signing event and wonderful door prizes! Food to be enjoyed includes all you can-eat salmon, burgers, hot dogs and side dishes. A beer garden will be open for refreshments. (More Info: www.alaskaairmuseum.org)

The most exciting event of the day for the people of Anchorage is the All-American baseball game between the Anchorage Glacier Pilots and the Anchorage Bucs. The rivalry and competition compare to none and many feel this is the "only game in town" The game is a double header at the Mulcahy Stadium which plays to a "packed house". The game is followed by the Mulcahy Fireworks Show.

Thank you for stopping my and reading my first blog. I hope you will return often as I share the things I love about Anchorage and Alaska , community information and events, real estate tips, advice, news and market conditions and anything else that comes to mind at the time of my writing. I look forward to sharing with you.