Last Sunday, I attended my first ever Chanukah celebration with my friend, Rhonda. It was held in Anchorage at the Egan Convention Center and was open to the public. Rhonda had never attended one of these festivals before either, but had wanted to for a long time, so she called me up and we went together.
I admit that at times, I felt like a party-crasher, as everything was foreign to me and other than Rhonda, I knew no one else there. However, no one made us feel unwelcomed and we were even able to share a table with a Hebrew family. The event was free, but food, games and activities took tickets ($1 per ticket) and I spent $10 on refreshments for Rhonda and myself. We both had potato latkes with applesauce - my first time - and they were very tasty!
Hope you enjoy these photos -- kimB
One of many antique menorahs on display - some were hundreds of years old!
Display table of Antique Menorahs
Giant dreidel pinata and a net full of balloons. The pinata was broken at the end of the event (we left before then) and the balloons were dropped at the end of a skit put on by the children
"Jerusalem of Gold" - menorah under glass
Cups, Mugs & Goblets under glass
Menorahs for sale - there was such a wide variety!
Dude!
Groovy little VW Menorah for sale! Faaaaar Out :) ! Shalom, y'all!
" Synogogues of the World"
Egan Center ballroom - all decked out for Festival & Family Expo
Food Line
Hebrew Youth Club, Gan Yeladim Preshool and Toddler Program students at the end of the Chanukah Light Parade
Jack and Jordan Green give the Menorah Blessings (yes, in Hebrew!)
Rabbi Yosef Greenberg and Jerry Green (father of the two little boys) kindle the Ice Menorah 
Larry Tallman and David Grashin light the antique menorah - it's more than 400 years old! - as Rabbi Greenberg looks on
~ Basking in the Light of GOD's Love ~
This beautiful young lady was one of our table mates, along with her family, who kept speaking to one another in - I think, Yiddish. Lovely :)
Musical performance by Alex Zlatovski and Jack & Jordan Green
A portion of the menorah on our table.Love the glow from this - was surprised it turned out so well! I used macro mode; no flash
The menorah at our table was crafted by children at the festival
A Reflection of the Lord's Provision
"My Giant Birthday Latke" - a theatrical performance by the Talmud Torah After-School students. Very cute play :)
Yarmulkes and programs on our table at the festival 
Carved Ice Menorah - This was sooooo much prettier IRL!
Ice Menorah Detail
The original of this photo had a yellowish tinge, so I added the "cool 1" filter to give it a more natural appearance.
Native Alaskan artwork in the lobby of the Egan Convention Center in Anchorage
"Mountains in the Mist"
Inside the Christmas section at the Eagle River Fred Meyer
"Christmas Stocking Quilt"
"Tony, the Tour Guide"
A happy Tony, posing with the cards he made during our paper-crafting session
The decorated door of the Day-Service unit (where we hold our paper-crafting sessions)
Close up of the Day Service's Christmas Tree
"Lone Eagle on Eagle River Road" 
Nativity scene outside the First Baptist Church of Eagle River
Sign outside the First Baptist Church of Eagle River 
Decorated pavilion at the Eagle River Town Square. I didn't adjust the color - the yellow tint comes from the surrounding streetlight.
Eagle River Town Square and the "People Mover" bus stop in the background
"Moonrise over the Alaska Range"
"Beach Lake" 
