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Courtesy photo   Guy Hoffman, woodworker and frequent participant in the Public Market.

This year marks the 24th Alaska-Juneau Public Market. This year's event is dedicated to the memory of Guy Hoffman, a well-known vendor from Haines who participated many of the Public Markets.

Hoffman was an exceptional woodworker, producing beautiful, collector quality bowls and plates. Public Market organizers said Hoffman was and ideal vendor who was friendly, enthusiastic, talented, and of the type who always seemed genuinely happy to see someone.

The annual Alaska-Juneau Public Market will be held Nov. 24-26, at Centennial Hall. Hours are noon-8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The second annual Public Market Annex will be held, from noon-8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-3p.m. Saturday.

Courtesy photo   Some of the Public Market crew pose with Santa Claus.

In all, the two 2006 events will include about 175 vendors representing 25 Alaska communities and eight communities in the Lower 48.

Each year features a significant number of new vendors. This year 25 percent are first-time vendors and a total of 40 percent did not participate in the 2005 event.

The Public Market was one of the first events to be held in Centennial Hall soon after the convention center opened in 1983. From the beginning vendors have included arts and crafters; garment designers; authors, photographers; producers of smoke salmon and wildberry products; producers of handcrafted knives; furniture, kitchen supply and computer salespeople; as well as a wide variety of fresh food vendors.

At first within the confines of the main hall, in 1989 the event took over the entire Centennial Hall Convention Center including the meeting rooms and lobby areas. Last year, the event expanded once again to include a Public Market Annex at the nearby Alaska-Native Brotherhood Hall.