5 things to do in the Mat-Su: Weekend of Oct. 6

Friends of the Palmer Library Community Resource Fair

PALMER — This Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. is the Friends of the Palmer Library Community Resource Fair at the Palmer Depot. This will be a chance for the public to learn more about local resources and organizations, to give support and gain support. Everything will be free. There will coffee, hot chocolate, cider and baked goods available. There will also be free balloons and a reading corner for the kids. It’s an event designed for the whole family.

According to the Palmer Library services coordinator Katie Schweisthal, this is the first time the event has been attempted. The goal is to raise awareness of services available in the community and help connect people who need services. Organizations like United Way and Big Brothers, Big Sisters will be on-site highlighting their works in the area.

“It is an opportunity to spotlight resources in the community. There are civic organizations, businesses and nonprofits coming together to share — with whomever comes through — a little bit about the services they provide, how they can utilize them for free and connect people to resources that people aren’t aware are in our community,” Schweisthal said.

Friends of Palmer Library is a nonprofit, fundraising arm of the library. Schweisthal said they would be there to explain what they do and by “supporting the Friends, you are supporting the library.” The Friends provide a range of free services to the public. An example of one of the Friends’ services is its summer reading program, which comes at no cost. They also hold a teen pizza night with a movie, which is also free.

For more information about the fair, the library or events call 907-745-4690 or visit www.pplak.org

Mat-Su Regional Family Health Fair

PALMER — This Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. is the annual Mat-Su Regional Family Health Fair, held in the main lobby. Visitors will have the chance to receive free health screenings win door prizes, and learn from experts on family wellness at educational booths. There will also be a series of engaging presentations.

Free labs include: fasting glucose, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and lipid profile. Note: be sure to fast if you wish to have blood work done.

According to Mat-Su Regional’s website, “This fair acquaints families with local resources and services that can contribute to their family’s health and wellness. We believe in the power of people to create great care.”

Dream Big 5k Fun Run

PALMER — This Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. is the Dream Big 5k Fun Run. The race starts at the downtown pavilion near the museum. Participants will run through downtown Palmer and finish back at the pavilion. The Fun Run is a fundraising event to support Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Alaska programs in the Mat-Su. Costumes for this run are encouraged and optional. Those who do dress up will be entered in a drawing to win gift certificates from Value Village. The Healthy Futures program will provide medals to runners. All early bib pick up participants will be entered to win in a prize drawing, including two 60 minute massages from Arctic Chiropractic in Wasilla.

It cost $25 for adults, $15 for children and $25 for virtual runners. To register online, visit register.chronotrack.com/r/31864

ConocoPhillips will match each registration fee and sponsorship for up to $5,000. For more information about the event or BBBS, call 907-376-4617 or email amy.lalor@bbbsak.org.

Hike to End Child Sex Trafficking

PALMER— This Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. is the Hike to End Child Sex Trafficking. The hike will be around Reflections Lake. This is a fundraising event for Operation Underground Railroad (OUR), an organization that fights against child sex trafficking across the world. O.U.R. works directly with law enforcement to extract kidnapped children from slavery and prosecutes the perpetrators.

This event is being hosted by Jane's Inspiration Oils. On the event page, Jane Drebert said, “Join us to catch the last of the fall colors before they are gone. It’s an easy 1 mile hike so bring the kids, bring a lunch and we’ll have a little picnic while we are there. Please consider making a $10 donation to O.U.R. If you would like to donate but cannot attend, you can donated directly to O.U.R. at their website.”

Drebert said her goal is to “create community by connecting individuals who want to change the world by starting at the beginning and protecting the most vulnerable of us.”

There are monthly meetings for the local O.U.R. group. To learn more about this event or how to get involved, or about future events, call 907-230-3525.

According to O.U.R.’s website, “in the past 3 years of existence, O.U.R. has rescued 730 victims and assisted in the arrests of more than 365 traffickers around the world.

For more information about O.U.R. or to donate directly to them, visit https://ourrescue.org

Rotary Uncorked - A Night Under the Big Top

Rotary Uncorked is coming back to the Menard Sports Center this Saturday from 6-9 p.m. The theme this year is a circus and the event has been dubbed, “A Night Under the Big Top.” This annual fundraising event is a celebration with tapas, wine tasting, locally crafted beer, live and silent auctions, a wine raffle, and circus games and entertainment. All of the money raised will go toward local community service organizations like MYHouse, the youth homeless shelter and the Children's Place, a nonprofit, private agency modeled after Children’s Advocacy Centers around the country that works to counter child abuse.

According to the event page, an assortment of circus centered acts are set to dazzle the audience, “Enjoy the ‘Big Top’ experience as jugglers, magicians entertain and face painters and balloon artists create the magic.”

Only adults 21 and over may attend this event. Tickets cost $65 online or $80 at the door. To get tickets online, visit rotaryuncorked.com/product/rotary-uncorked-event-ticket

According to the Rotary Facebook page, “Rotary - We are neighbors, community leaders, and global citizens uniting for the common good. With you, we can accomplish even more. With the funds raised in 2016, we were able to give $20,000 to MyHouse, $10,000 in scholarships to local high school seniors, $4,000 to SERTOMA for a Hearing booth, provide activities for youth at Christmas, and more.”

For more information, call 907-354-3382.