5 things to do in the Mat-Su: Weekend of Aug. 18, 2017

It’s a charitable weekend filled with barbeques and fundraisers. Two food-focused fundraisers both aim to support children. Whether it’s ice cream from Little Millers, chili from Denali Harley Davidson or a rack of ribs at the premier Mat-Su BBQ Battle, everyone has a chance to sink their teeth into local meals with the chance to raise funds for children in need along the way.

Rock-On Climbing open house

Rock-On Climbing will be hosting an open house Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. ROC will provide tours of the facility and offer free climbing for all customers. Belayers (the person on the ground who secures the climber) will be on-site to accommodate those that do not have their belay certifications. ROC will also be accepting donations to support their youth climbing teams. There will be a special, one-day only punch card available at a "very small price.”

According to ROC’s website, the center offers more than 6,500 vertical square feet of climbing on its 35-foot top-rope and 18- to 20-foot boulder walls. Climbs include all skill levels, from first-day beginners to advanced climbers. ROC has rental gear available. ROC also features a slack line, highline at 20 feet, exercise equipment, yoga studio and a kids’ room.

Rock-On Climbing is located at 1080 Wasilla-Fishhook Road. For additional information, call 907-357-9196 or visit with the staff.

Meet Miss Alaska and eat ice cream for a good cause

This Saturday, Miss Alaska Angelina Klapperich will be working with Little Millers Café for a meet and greet and fundraising event. Half of the proceeds from select items will go toward the Children's Miracle Network.

Klapperich will be available to sign autographs, take pictures and mingle with the public from 12- 2 p.m. at the Little Millers Café at 6177 Heather Way (off the Palmer Wasilla Highway near the bus barn) and from 2 to 4 p.m. at Bogard location at 4975 E. Bogard Road.

All of the Little Millers locations in Wasilla will also be participating throughout the day for interested persons to buy select items, raising funds for the Children's Miracle Network.

“It's an easy and delicious way to support an amazing cause,” Klapperich said. “I've worked at Little Millers for five years and we are partnering to raise funds. As Miss Alaska, I am Alaska's Goodwill Ambassador for the Children's Miracle Network.”

For additional information, contact 907-373-6129 or anklapperich@alaska.edu

2017 Fall Parade of Homes

The Mat-Su Home Builders Association (MSHBA) is hosting the 2017 Parade of Homes event this weekend, designed to offer open houses for various homes built across the Valley. There will be 21 homes open to the public. The event kicks off Saturday at 11 a.m. and concludes Sunday at 5 p.m. Once the event is over, industry professionals will judge the houses for design features and overall craftsmanship.

According to the event page, “the Fall Parade of Homes recognizes the achievements of local builders and showcases innovations in building, new home features, and local trends.”

Call 907- 376-2620 for additional information.

Chili cook-off for charity

This Saturday, the 49th State Street Rodders and Denali Harley Davidson will host a chili cook-off at the Denali Harley Davidson shop, 1497 Hyer Rd.

The contest is a fundraising event with all proceeds going toward the Make-A-Wish Foundation, both in Alaska and Washington. To enter, each contestant will pay $50. It will cost $10 to taste and vote for the best dish. Kennedy Torres, winner of Chopped Jr., will also be on-site with her own chili recipe. The winner will receive a custom made trophy designed by local artist Perry Cowles.

The event runs from 1-5 p.m. The shop opens at 9 a.m. The Rodders will have their famous grill set up in the morning and will be serving free hot dogs and hamburgers.

“I will enter the competition cooking chili, so if there is anybody out there who in a delusional moment of grander thinks you can cook better tasting chili than mine, well come on down, enter and we will find out,” said John Troutner, president of the 49th State Street Rodders, a nonprofit car club based in Palmer.

Troutner also said to bring your rides (cars, trucks motorcycles, etc.) to participate in an informal car show.

The Mat-Su BBQ battle begins

Grill masters across the Valley are invited to compete in the first annual Mat-Su BBQ Battle, in a lot near Millers Market. The event begins Saturday at 8 a.m. and concludes Sunday at 6 p.m.

Entry fee is $25 per team for each category they care to enter, except People's Choice. To enter People's Choice, teams must bring two extra pork butts to cook and share as their entry fee. Payments will be collected Saturday morning of the event. In order for teams to receive their turn in boxes they must pay the entry fee for that category. Participants are asked to bring cash and exact change as the event coordinators will not be able to make change.

According to the event page, “a group of barbecue addicts and aficionados got together and decided it was time to have a barbecue competition in the Mat-Su Valley to determine the best of the best in Southcentral Alaska.”

Visit www.facebook.com/events/1357041914403358/ for contest rules and procedures.