5 things to do in the Mat-Su: Weekend of Sept. 22

Fall Harvest Festival 2017 at Pyrah's Pioneer Peak Farm

PALMER — The Pyrah's Pioneer Peak Farm will be hosting its annual Fall Harvest Festival Saturday from 12 to 7 p.m. To celebrate the summer harvest, fresh crops will be available. A slew of activities to partake in include hayrides, wagon rides, cattle train rides, carnival games and prizes, giant slide, pedal tractors, contests, a petting zoo, face painting, photographs, horsetails, and live music. The farm is located at 4350 S Bodenburg Loop.

According to the event page, there will be a special event called the “Punkin Chunkin” to raise funds and resources for local families struck by tragedy,

“This week we have seen a number of tragedies in our world and in our community. A couple of them have struck very close to home with a little girl and her family finding out she has advanced cancer; and another couple losing everything, including the lives of their five children to a house fire… It will now be 'Launching Hope: Chunkin for Charity' and all entry proceeds will go directly to the families. There will also be a live fundraising opportunity at the event and, additionally, Pyrah's will donate for all distances launched.”

The “Punkin Chunkin” event begins at 2 p.m.

According to the event page, there will be a special day for those in need, Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information call 907-745-4511.

Football and food drive

WASILLA — Saturday at Wasilla High School, the Warriors are facing off against the Chugiak Mustangs at 7 p.m. The Mat-Su Food Bank will be on-site accepting food donations. Those who bring two or more cans/items will be granted admission to the game.

Most useful items, according to the food bank are peanut butter, canned meats, jams and jellies, sugar fruit snacks, canned fruit and vegetables, cereal, canned soup, chili and beans, flour, juice boxes, top ramen, mac and cheese, coffee, rice, and beans.

The Mat-Su Food Bank cannot accept home processed game meat, home-canned items or opened items.

According the MatSu Food Bank website, “The MatSu Food Bank is leading the effort to eliminate hunger in the Mat-Su Valley by engaging our community partners in the battle against hunger.”

The MatSu Food bank also stated that September is Hunger Action Month. This fundraiser coincides with their September efforts to combat the Valley’s food crisis.

For additional information, contact the MatSu Food Bank at 357-3769 or eddie@matsufoodbank.org

NSA Wrestling – Bad Moon Rising

PALMER — Sunday, No Strings Attached (NSA) Wrestling is having its two-year anniversary event at the Palmer Train Depot. Doors open at 3 p.m. for a meet and greet with the wrestlers and the show starts at 4 p.m. There will be about 14 WWE-style wrestlers exchanging blows out over 7 matches. There will be concessions available, as well as merchandise, including DVDs, T-shirts and stickers. It’s an all-ages show and children under 5 are admitted for free. Tickets cost $5.

“The kids are amazing at the shows. They love it,” said NSA co-owner, Sean Coleman. “We are a family friendly event. We try to keep it PG. Obviously, we’ve got villains, and we’ve got good guys which is what everyone wants to see.”

The NSA wrestlers use their showmanship to sway audiences in different directions with ongoing storylines. Under stage names recently, Stephen Wolfe lost to Sterling Folk and attacked him after the show and turned his back on the audience. The two will have a feud match to settle the score.

Coleman said that the Bad Moon Rising Event will have a Last Man Standing Match. Just like it sounds, the last man standing will be crowned the winner.

“They’re gonna’ beat each other until only one of em can get up,” Coleman said.

According to Coleman, NSA Wrestling has grown in scope and attendance over the past two years. The Ballard Brothers tag team will make a special appearance. The brothers have wrestled in the WWE and regularly train wrestlers on today’s circuit.

“We’re entertaining; it’s what we get paid to do,” said co-owner, Mitchell Helps, or by his stage name, Gentleman Jack Windsor.

NSA Wrestling will have two more events for the year — both in November, one Nov. 5 and the other Nov. 26.

Wild Bird Wonders Fall Fundraiser

WASILLA — Saturday at 5:30 p.m., the Alaska WildBird Rehabilitation Center is hosting the Wild Bird Wonders Fall Fundraiser at Best Western Lake Lucille Inn, located at 1300 West Lake Lucille Dr. Proceeds will fund the center. There will be dinner provided by Delicious Dave, a live auction, a quilt raffle, education ambassador birds, and live music provided by local artist, Matanuska Muse.

According to the Alaska WildBird Rehabilitation Center’s Facebook page, “Our mission is to care for injured, orphaned and sick wild birds with the goal of returning them to the wild, and to educate the public about these birds and their habitats.”

Tickets are $55. To reserve a table for eight is $500. For ticket pick up, visit Facebook, Non Essentials in Palmer, or go to Steve's Toyo Stoves off Knik-Goose Bay Road.

If you find a sick, injured or orphaned wild bird, or would like to volunteer, or make a donation, contact the center at 907-892-2927.

Super Saturated Sugar Strings headline Big Cabbage Radio Fundraiser

PALMER — This Saturday, the Super Saturated Sugar Strings are coming to the Valley to perform at the Glenn Massay Theater. The event isn’t just a concert, it’s a fundraising event with dinner and a silent auction. Proceeds will benefit the Big Cabbage Radio station (KVRF). Doors open at 6 p.m. with dinner, a social hour and silent auction. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m.

The Super Saturated Sugar Strings have been described as an alt-folky, gypsy-country band. According to their website, “the Super Saturated Sugar Strings have a very nostalgic, yet contemporary sound; rich with vocal harmonies, string melodies, and an element of carnival sideshow. Their gypsy-country vibe has won the group high honors and has stirred a fervent congregation of dedicated fans.”

Tickets will also be sold at the door or can be picked up at Fireside Books. For additional information, contact Scott Taylor at 746-9350 or smtaylor14@alaska.edu.