2022 Colony Christmas event shines in Palmer

PALMER — Hundreds of Valley residents cycled through downtown Palmer to partake in various merry and bright festivities during the 2022 Colony Christmas weekend of events.

Greater Palmer Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ailis Vann was pleased with the overall turnout, and she was even grateful for the weather. She said it was certainly cold, but there was no wind and they managed to dodge the boat of snowfall that has since shut down schools and businesses across the community.

“We got so lucky with the weather,” Vann said with a laugh.

Colony Christmas is a multi-day event that features a wide array of community activities such as vendor markets, culinary contests, and holiday themed games.

The Palmer Chamber hosts this event with multiple participating groups and businesses that create a fun and festive atmosphere for locals to enjoy every year.

Vann noted that the overall turnout was slightly lower than usual this year, but they still had a strong showing of local friends and families looking to spread the holiday cheer, especially during the most popular event, the annual Parade of Lights.

“It’s always a success when we can pull everything off,” Vann said. “It makes me happy to see it come together because we never know if it’s going to work out until it does.”

This year’s Parade of Lights immediately followed the lighting of the Palmer Water Tower, Saturday

Over 30 floats featuring local nonprofits, churches, community groups, businesses, and public figures made their way through downtown Palmer.

Many of the floats were adorned with bright Christmas lights, inflatable characters, and other festive decorations. Some floats even added extra ambience to the parade with holiday tunes.

“It was a chance to see the likes of Santa Claus, the Grinch, and Frosty the Snowman all in one place.

“They were just incredible. They were so well decorated,” Vann said.

Another beloved Colony Christmas tradition is the annual firework show that comes right after the parade.

“Everyone was out having a great time, so you can’t beat that,” Vann said.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com