Archive for the 'Events' Category

Alaska Agriculture Appreciation Day – 2012 August 8th, 2012

Categories: Around Palmer, Events



Alaska Agriculture Appreciation Day at the UAF Experimental Farm

TOMORROW, August 9, 12-6pm
Free for everyone!

  • +Live Music
    Air Force Band: AK Brass
    Back Acres
  • + Sheep-to-Shawl deomonstration
  • + Hay wagon rides
  • + Local Food and Craft Vendors
  • + Alaska Grown Produce for sale
  • + Games and Activities for children
  • + Prize giveaways and Much More!!

Click here for photos of last year’s event.

Come to the Palmer Center for Sustainable Living, UAF Experimental Farms at 1509 S. Georgeson Drive (formerly S. Trunk Road) and celebrate the integral role that agriculture has played in Alaska and specifically the Mat-Su Valley.

Thanks to Challene Shoun and Rachel Courtnay for providing the above information.

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Colony Christmas – Local Artists and More! December 12th, 2011

Categories: Around Palmer, Businesses, Events

Bad Girls of The North Art Show

Bad Girls of The North Art Show

On Friday I was able to visit the Arts and Crafts Fair and the Bad Girls of the North Craft Show and would love to share the wonderful artists with you! 
Raven Moon Studios had on display some beautiful artwork. Laurel is the gifted artist who creates hand pulled block prints and handmade silk paper collages. To see more information about the art visit www.ravenmoonart.com.

Bad Girls of the North is known for promoting the work of exceptional artists and artisans and they have done it again.

Vicky Potter was at the show to represent Bad Girls of the North and her handmade jewelry Orion Designs. Her hand crafted jewelry is unique and yet simple and classy.

The next artist in the room was Sound Soap, they make great soaps and healthy beauty products. You can find out more about how the soaps are made and the natural ingredients on the website www.soundsoap.com.

Lazy Mountain Leather Co displayed their bags and wallets, showing off their craft. They currently do not have a website but I met Mary and she said she would love a call if you’re interested in their leather goods at 907-373-7924. She also mentioned that they have a shop in Homer during the summer from June to August so feel free to stop in this coming summer.

Fish Lips and Bird Teeth Studio had a unique display of jewelry and home decor pieces crafted from polymer clay.

Rounding out the room I found some delicious delicacies made by Stacy De Priest. She calls her craft Gatherings and she welcome a call from you if you would like to order jams, flavored vinegar, pancake mixes and so much more. Stacy De Priest: 907-373-2302.

Next I headed to the Palmer Depot to see the booths for the year.

I was impressed by a company called A Twist Beyond. This company actually has an alpaca farm here in the valley and and uses all-natural alpaca threads for all their one-of-a-kind hats, gloves, and more. Email Lorie or Jan for more information or to purchase these very soft products.  [email protected].

Alaska Nibbles had some sausage and honey mustard samples I couldn’t refuse. Katheryn, the owner, was a delight to chat with and was very enthusiastic about her products. You can order online at www.alaskanibbles.com.

Another notable artist I met makes incredible wood carvings. Gerry Guay has been carving for so long his detailed work shows the fruits of perfecting his craft. He said feel free to email him if you have inquiries at [email protected].

Denali Dreams had some fantastic soaps. salves and balms. You can find out more or order at www.denalidreams.com.

I’ll end this post with a comment about fresh dairy products from Matanuska Creamery. In addition to great ice cream and cheese, they are now offering fresh-made butter, eggnog, milk and eggs.

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Events of Colony Christmas 2011 December 8th, 2011

Categories: Around Palmer, Events

Colony Christmas

Colony Christmas

Today I visited the “Light Up A Life” Hospice Tree in the Koslosky Center to see what it’s all about. Valley Hospice Resources is working to build support for compassionate end of life care and have a hospice house in the Mat-Su Valley. To support their effort, come donate by purchasing an angel or star to remember a loved one.

The tree will be available in the Koslosky center through the weekend from 10am until 6pm (7pm on Saturday). You are also invited to attend the Gathering of Remembrance at the Palmer Train Depot January 8th when all the names will be read.

See more about their plans at: www.ValleyHospiceResources.org

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2011 Colony Christmas Schedule

Wednesday, December 7

5:30pm dinner                        Advent Prayer Service and Dinner

7pm service St. Michael Catholic Church, 432 E Fireweed


Thursday, December 8

10am-6pm                               “Light Up A Life” Hospice Tree

Koslosky’s Center – 642 S Alaska Street

Friday, December 9

10 am – 6 pm                          Gingerbread Houses, Sponsored by Alaska USA Federal Credit Union

Presented by Blueberry Moose Catering & Events

Pioneer Home, 250 E Fireweed Avenue

Various Downtown Businesses- Look for a list at the Pioneer home

10 am – 6 pm                           “Light Up A Life” Hospice Tree

Koslosky’s Center – 642 S Alaska Street

11 am – 6 pm                          Arts & Craft Fair

Palmer Depot

11am – 6pm                            Information Booth and Sales

Palmer Depot

11am – 6pm Bad Girls of the North juried Craft Show

Downtown Palmer Plaza – 550 S Alaska St

6 pm – 8pm 4th Annual Art Acquisition Reception

Palmer Museum of History & Art, 723 S Valley Way

7 pm                                         Annual Service of Remembrance

Legacy Kehl’s Palmer Chapel – 209 South Alaska St

7 pm – 12 am                          Holiday Ball

Raven Hall – Alaska State Fairgrounds, Glenn Highway

7pm – 10pm                             Christmas Gala benefiting Santa Cops Program

Primrose Retirement Community, 889 North Elkhorn Dr, Wasilla


Saturday, December 10

9 am – 11 am                          Lions Club Pancake Breakfast

Salvation Army, 209 W Evergreen Avenue

9 am – 4 pm                            Craft Bazaar

Mat-Su Seniors Services (Palmer Sr. Ctr), 1132 S Chugach St

10 am – 4:45 pm                     Information Booth and Sales

Palmer Depot

10 am – 4 pm                          Palmer Museum of History and Art Open

723 S Valley Way

10 am – 4 pm                          Kids Activity Events & Warm-Up Stations

Sponsored by:

Frost a Christmas Cookie – Cover-Ups, 840 S Colony Way

Kids Activity Table – Madd Matters, 1088 S Bailey St

10 am – 4 pm                          Festival of Mini Trees –Benefits the Special Santa Program

Colony Inn, 325 E. Elmwood Avenue

10 am – 6 pm                          Gingerbread Houses,

Sponsored by Alaska USA Federal Credit Union

Presented by Blueberry Moose Catering & Events

Pioneer Home, 250 E Fireweed Avenue

Various Businesses- Look for a list at the Pioneer home

10 am – 7 pm                          Arts & Craft Fair

Palmer Depot

10 am – 6 pm                          Arts & Crafts Fair

Borough Gym, 350 E Dahlia Avenue

10am – 7pm                             Information Booth

Rib Shack at Borough Gym Foyer, 350 E Dahlia Ave

10 am – 5 pm                          Arts & Craft Fair

Alaska Job Corps, Cope Industrial Way

10am – 6pm Bad Girls of the North juried Craft Show

Downtown Palmer Plaza – 550 S Alaska St

10 am – 7 pm                           “Light Up A Life” Hospice Tree

Koslosky’s Center – 642 S Alaska Street

10 am – 6 pm                          Open House, Caroling & Bake Sale

Colony House Museum, 316 E Elmwood Avenue

10am – 5pm The Original Colony Manager’s-Open House Tour

Presented by Mat-Su Bed &Breakfast Association,

308 E Elmwood Ave

10am – 5 pm                            The Gallery –Douglas François Girard, in person from Noon to 5 pm

1150 S Colony Way (in the Key Bank Plaza)

11 am – 2 pm                          Cookie Contest presented by Mat-Su Bed & Breakfast Association

Palmer Museum- 723 S Valley Way

11 am – 7 pm                          Nativity Displays

LDS Church – 560 W Arctic Ave

11am – 3 pm Denali Destroyer Dolls- Holiday Hair

Downtown Palmer Plaza, 500 South Alaska St

11am – 3pm                             Photos with Santa, Sponsored by IBEW Local 1547

Downtown Palmer Plaza Deli – 500 South Alaska St

11am – 4pm Sweet Adeline’s- Christmas Caroling around Palmer

Noon – 3pm Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides presented by AK Alaska Bling

585 S Valley Way

Noon – 4 pm                           Snow Machine Sled Rides –

Presented by Alaska Backcountry Adventure Tours

Open area next to Colony Inn

Noon – 3 pm                           Reindeer Farm, petting, feeding and photos & warming station

Silvertip Design-421 S Alaska St

Noon – 3 pm                           Free Kids Games, presented by CCS Early Learning

Palmer Depot – Outside

12:30 pm – 1:30 pm               Snowshoe Obstacle Course

742 S Alaska St. (in front of the Depot)

1 pm – 4 pm                            Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides Sponsored by Usibelli Coal Mine

Pavilion across from Palmer Museum

1:30 pm – 3:30 pm                 “Ice Castles on the Green” Ice Sculptures-

Presented by Valley Arts Alliance

320 E Dahlia Street in the Historic District

2:00 pm – 3:30 pm                 Smoosh Race

742 S Alaska St. (in front of the Depot)

2:30pm                                    Youth Mitten Money Scramble,

Presented by CCS Early Learning

Palmer Depot – Outside

2:30 pm – 4 pm                       Air Force Band of the Pacific Alaska Express

Presented by KMBQ Q99.7

Mat-Su Seniors Services (Palmer Sr. Center), 1132 S Chugach Street

5:00 pm                                   Parade of Lights, Sponsored by MTA

Downtown Palmer

6:30 pm                                    FIREWORKS, Sponsored by BP

Borough baseball fields & Library parking lot

7:00 pm “Love Came Down at Christmas” Concert

By The Alaska Children’s Choir

St. Johns Lutheran Church 440 E Elmwood

Sunday, December 11

9 am – 10:30 am                     Triathlon Registration,

Sponsored by Mat-Su Health Foundation

Presented by Peak Fitness

Peak Fitness, 12051 E Palmer Wasilla Highway

10 am – 6 pm                           “Light Up A Life” Hospice Tree

Koslosky’s Center, 642 S Alaska Street

11:00 am                                 Triathlon Race Starts,

Sponsored by Mat-Su Health Foundation

Presented by Peak Fitness

Peak Fitness, 12051 E Palmer Wasilla Highway

Noon – 8 pm                           Palmer Pioneer Hockey Steak Feed

Moose Lodge, 1136 S Cobb Street, Tickets $15 available

at door or from players

2 pm – 7 pm                            Nativity Display

LDS Church – 560 W Arctic Ave

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COLONY CHRISTMAS 2011 December 2nd, 2011

Categories: Around Palmer, Events, Seasons

downtownpalmerpan

It has been a while since we updated, and we’re sorry about that, but this news is well worth paying attention to!

COLONY CHRISTMAS 2011!

Whew, it’s finally here! We’ve been getting plenty more snow to deck the rooftops and trees, as well as our front yards around town. But on top this powdery delight, businesses around town have decorated their store fronts in Christmas lights and other decorations.

To kick off the Colony Christmas celebrations, Light Up Palmer begins on Sunday, December 4th, at 4pm. That is THIS SUNDAY!
According to the Greater Palmer Chamber of Commerce, wagon rides, caroling and other activities will also take place!
AND I heard rumors of fireworks at 5:50pm! You don’t wanna miss that!

Fireside Books during Colony Christmas 2010

Fireside Books during Colony Christmas 2010

The majority of Colony Christmas events will center around next weekend, December 9-11. For a full schedule of the events, vist the Palmer Chamber page.

Smoosh Racing - 2010

Smoosh Racing - 2010

Some of my favorite Colony Christmas events include the following:

  • Parade of Lights sponsored by MTA – Saturday, Dec 10, 5pm
  • The multiple Arts and Crafts Fairs throughout the weekend
  • The Kids Games – Saturday Dec 10, Noon to 3pm at the Palmer Depot
  • Snowshoe Obstacle Course – Saturday, Dec 10, 12:30-1:30pm
  • Smoosh Racing! – Saturday, Dec 10, 2-3:30pm
  • FIREWORKS! sponsored by BP – Saturday, Dec 10, 6:30pm
  • Again, CLICK HERE for the FULL Colony Christmas Schedule!

    A taste of last year’s fireworks:

    What in the world is Smoosh Racing? Watch the video below of one of last year’s races!

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    Alaska Agriculture Appreciation Day – Palmer AK! August 11th, 2011

    Categories: Around Palmer, Events, Seasons

    I found out about the Alaska Agriculture Appreciation Day down at the UAF experimental farms last minute… but was still able to stop by and snap some photos!

    Enjoy! (click on the photos for a larger view)

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