Alyeska Resort Celebrates Summer and the Alaskan Blueberry Season with Family Fun, Live Music and Cooking Demonstrations.

July 30, 2012, (Girdwood, AK) – All over the Glacier Valley blueberry plants are starting to bloom with world-famous Alaskan blueberries , the featured ingredient in Alyeska Resort’s Fifth Annual Blueberry Festival. Scheduled for August 11 and 12, 2012, the festival will be held from 12:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. each day with free admission.

The family friendly festival will feature a variety of activities and events as well as many local food vendors. From local painters and jewelry-makers to artisan salsa makers, the 2012 festival will have an eclectic mix of arts and crafts booths and culinary creations.

Festival goers will be allowed to pick wild blueberries in the Chair 7 area both days of the event. Alyeska Resort will be running Chair 7 from 3 P.M. to 6 P.M. to give families easy access to blueberry patches higher up on the mountain without a strenuous hike. Alyeska Resort is encouraging people who park in the Daylodge lot to take Chair 7 as a fast and convenient way to return to their vehicle.

The Hotel Alyeska will feature a beer garden on the Columbia Patio to provide a 21 and over venue and will serve blueberry-infused wines and liquors as well as blueberry-themed cocktails.

The featured activities at Blueberry Festival are geared towards kids of all ages, offering hands-on fun with Alaska’s favorite berry. There will be opportunities for children to decorate their own berry-picking bags and foray for berries in the courtyard area with Alyeska Resort’s mascot, Mogul Moose.

The Blueberry Stomp Fun Run is a short foot race up Blueberry Hill and a great compliment to the sugary treats. The popular pie-eating contest challenges both children and adults alike on the main stage to beat competitors by being the first to finish a blueberry pie prepared by Alyeska pastry chefs. Great prizes are up for grabs and competitors can sign up in person before the event starts.

Art related activities will be taking place throughout the festival such as face painting and kid’s arts and crafts. Those looking for more adventure related activities can try a fly casting demos or a guided nature walk on the Winner Creek trail with The Ascending Path service that will provide information on local flora and fauna. A Frisbee golf tournament will also provide friendly competition among festival goers on the newly designed nine-hole disc golf course.

Alyeska Resort feature live music in the hotel courtyard from noon to 6 P.M. all weekend. Festival goers in the beer garden will have a fantastic view of the stage while families and those under 21 are encouraged to join the band under the concert tent. Scheduled acts include Traveler, Jackie Schafer and the Standard Deviations, High Lonesome Sound, Evan Phillips, Selah Reese and Nellie Clay.

The Hotel Alyeska will be offering special Blueberry Festival packages starting at $299 per night. Packages include one-night’s accommodation, breakfast and a scenic tram ride for two adults. Packages can be booked by calling hotel’s reservations at 907.754.2111 or online at AlyeskaResort.com. A complete schedule of activities and events for Blueberry Festival is available online.

About Alyeska Resort (www.AlyeskaResort.com)
Alyeska Resort is Alaska's premier year-round destination featuring The Hotel Alyeska, an award-winning 304 room full-service property. Located just 40 miles from Anchorage and Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Alyeska Resort is your base camp for summer and winter excursions. Alyeska Resort stands out during ski season with 650” of average snowfall annually and the longest-continuous double black diamond ski run in North America. Learn more about the resort and plan your Alaskan adventure at www.AlyeskaResort.com or 800.880.3880.

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