5 Things to-do in the Mat-Su: weekend of 12.29

5 Things to-do in the Mat-Su

Compiled by Jacob Mann

1)New Year's Eve Fireworks Celebration

WASILLA — Starting off the list is a long standing tradition in Wasilla, the New Year’s Eve Fireworks Celebration at Wonderland Park. The fireworks start at 8pm. Over the years, many people in the Valley have grown accustomed to bundling up and bundling together as a community to watch the fireworks at the park. It doesn’t cost anything to attend. Be sure to find a parking spot ahead of time and look for a good place to see the show. Good parking spots fill up fast so you may have to park down the road a bit so come early. Wonderland Park is located at 500 West Nelson Avenue.

2)Family Snow Day at Victory

SUTTON — Family Snow Day at Victory Bible Camp: Ice skating, cross country skiing, sleigh rides and much more for $5. The legendary ice castle is now complete so now is the tome to check it out and have some wintery fun with the whole family. There will be an assortment of activities to partake in, including tubing, snow machining on nearby trails and hiking (snow shoes advised). Be sure to dress warm and pack extra snow gear, just in case! Admission is $5 per person. There will also be a drawing for a $250 certificate towards summer camp at Victory Bible Camp. Meal tickets will be available for $5/person and will include a hotdog/chilidog, or a bowl of chili, and bag of chips. Drinks and snacks will be available in the gift shop for purchase. Family Snow Day begins at 12 p.m. to and will conclude with fireworks from the castle around 7 p.m. You will need to bring your own skis and ice skates. *Note: No dogs will be allowed on the grounds for liability reasons. The Victory Bible Camp and Conference Center is located at 64741 South Victory Road. For more information, call 745-4203.

3)Mat-Su Icicle Double

PALMER — Attention Skiers, the Mat-Su Icicle Double is this Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. 5, 10, and 30 kilometer ski races. The 5k course will be one lap of the Matanuska and Susitna loops and the Eska loop. The 10k course will be 2x5k laps of the Matanuska and Susitna loops and the Eska loop. The 30k course will be 4x7.5k laps of the Denali loop to King cut off, the Matanuska and Susitna loops and the Eska loop. The Icicle Double is a two day series of skiing and fun exercise for families and individuals at the Both days of the Icicle Double will have 30K, 10K and 5K distances available for skiers to participate in. If we get enough snow, the race will be held on the new trails that the ski club constructed this summer. Cash prizes will be given to the top three men and women in the 30K ($100 to $300). $60 race fee. For more information, call the Mat-Su Ski Club at 907-232-8640. Register early for $50 atwww.matsuski.org.

4)New Year’s Eve Bash 2017

“Don’t miss out!”

WASILLA — This Sunday from 6 to 10 p.m., Elevate Youth Ministries is inviting the public to join them for a night of dodge-ball, ice skating, bounce houses, lawn games, food, and more. The Curtis D. Menard Center is located at 1001 South Clapp Street. According to their Facebook page, the Elevate Ministries was formed to see the Kingdom of God lived out in the lives of students all over the Mat-Su Valley and around the world. It is our desire that you will find a community of Jesus-followers who want to see their world changed for the better.” Admission and activities are free of charge. Those attending are asked to bring food for the potluck based on last names: A-L bring main dish and M-Z bring desserts. For more information, visit www.churchak.org.

5)Mustache New Year’s Eve Party

“Champagne at midnight and mustaches galore!”

PALMER — This Sunday evening, the Four Corners Lounge is hosting a party with only one rule: come with a mustache, real or fake. You can rock your natural whiskers or present your faux facial hair, be it drawn on, tattooed, cut from a piece of paper, or any other method; creativity is encouraged and mustaches are required. There will be live music performed by the Valley based band, Crazy Heart, “ringing in the New Year together never sounded so great.” Crazy heart is a tight group of veteran musicians that play a mix of country, rock, and originals. This mustache party will be an evening filled with dancing, drink specials, Jello shots, and “so many ways to wear a mustache.” Four Corners Lounge is located at 8000 East Palmer-Wasilla Highway. For more information, call 745-9922.