5 things to to in the Mat-Su: Weekend of Aug. 11, 2017

Bloomers Garden Club’s Perennial Plant Sale

WASILLA — Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. is the Bloomers Garden Club’s Perennial Plant Sale at the Meadow Lakes City Center, located at 244 S. Sylvan Road. Event organizers urge those wanting to attend to plan ahead for Parks Highway construction.

The sale will focus on plants that “winter over.” There will be perennial flowers like columbine and dahlias. There will also be fresh vegetables, berries and gardening pots, tools and other accessories. The Bloomers Garden Club has been around for more than a decade, according to its Facebook page, with a mission to “provide a forum for area gardeners to gain knowledge and share their experiences.”

The club has plant sales twice a year and meets every first Monday each month. They meet at 10:30 a.m. in the Meadow Lakes Senior Center, located at 1210 N Kim Dr. in Wasilla.

The club regularly has guest speakers and does garden tours during the summer. Past president and current secretary, Patti Fisher said to “please consider joining us at our monthly meetings.”

For additional information, call: 357-8616

AK RhymeFest 2017

This weekend, rappers can delight at an “all day celebration of Alaskan musical talent” at the AK Rhyme fest, located at 700 S Half Curl Dr.

According the event page, there will be music in “all forms” including acoustic guitarists and vocalists, an assortment of known hip-hop acts, music producers, and house bands. The gates open at 10 a.m. Saturday and will be open all weekend.

The event is hosted by Cousin Ash of KNBA 90.3 FM radio and Kelly Lee Williams, founder of Chocolate Renaissance Theatre improv group. Williams also is the owner and performer of Kelly-Grams, and host of Renaissance Open Mic at Chilkoot Charlie's.

According to the event page, there will be NSA wrestling with Sean Coleman and a beer garden, provided by Spurs Bar and Grill. The event page also encourages people to camp all weekend because it’s “better safe than sorry.” The goal of the event is to showcase “the diversity and dynamic influence and appreciation” for local music.

For additional information, visit www.facebook.com/events/1622954781049379/

Musicians scheduled to appear:

D Tha Lyricist

Call Me Choze

DucePlaya

Tayy Tarantino

Fire Musik' Crew

Rozi feat. Alice

Alaska Boi

Justin McCain

Jayo Kushman

Lee Jones

Z "niwTLion"

Pooh Gotti

Andrew Doerr

Duncan Shuler

KiiK

Bethany Fohe

Stevie The Blessed

Kevin DeBoord

Backcountry Bike and Ski hosts annual Hatcher Pass Epic

PALMER — Backcountry Bike and Ski is hosting its annual Hatcher Pass Epic Saturday. The Hatcher Pass Epic is a non-timed bike ride up and over Hatcher Pass, starting and ending at Backcountry Bike and Ski, located at 132 W Arctic Ave. The event kicks off with a complimentary “Samurai Breakfast” at their shop at 8 a.m. The official ride begins at 10 a.m.

According to shop’s website, “our annual Hatcher Pass Epic is the most epic bike ride and after-party you will have on two wheels, and two feet (if you’re still standing afterwards).”

This year, the event is keeping its super hero theme in conjunction with a “Keep America Epic” slogan. Captain America will be the “reigning party overlord.”

According to the website, “If you’d like to start sooner, feel free to head out whenever you feel comfortable. Remember there is no defined route, no rules to switching bikes (there is about 25 miles of gravel), you can have a SAG or ride your beach cruiser unsupported the whole way stocked with beer. The epicness is up to you!”

Bikers can ride solo, with a partner or with teams. People will need to register individually to access their “swag bag.” There will be live music, food, dessert and beer afterward.

The superhero/patriotic theme is mandatory this year. Costumes can be simple or more complex, using items like capes, red shorts, star-spangled spandex or even a full superman costume. Riders must wear red, white and blue and if they do not, “we will make you ride in a red-man skin suit,” the website says.

Registration is $40 and those who don’t want to ride but “just want to party” can just pay $10 per person at the door.

For additional information, call: 746-5018 or visit: backcountrybikeandski.com/events/hatcher-pass-epic

Derby Doll Dash 5K Fun Run

PALMER — The Denali Destroyer Dolls are hosting a 5k and 1-mile fun run for all ages Saturday. The event will be at the MTA Events Center, located at 1317 S. Kerry Weiland Court. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the race at starts at 10 a.m. The first 200 that sign up, will receive an “awesome swag bag.” There will be an assortment of drawings, giveaways, booths and “so much more.” According to the DDD Facebook page, the person dressed the in the “wackiest” outfit will earn the top prize.

Early, online registration has been extended until Friday at noon.

Go to goo.gl/5AaEXH to register or visit denalidestroyers.org.

The Denali Destroyer Dolls are a local flat-track roller derby team.

According to the DDD Facebook page, they strive for fitness and fun for their members, and to promote confidence for all athletes across the Valley. DDD is a nonprofit owned and operated by its skaters.

Model aircraft take to the skies

Fun is their middle name and it is the theme that will be flying through the skies above the airfield at Loretta French Park in Chugiak on Saturday as the Alaska-based Frontier Fun Flyers hosts its biennial model aircraft show in celebration of National Model Aviation Day.

This year marks the first year the event — held opposite years of the Arctic Thunder Air Show at JBER — will be held at Loretta French. Recent improvements paid for jointly by the club and the local parks and recreation department have upgraded the former 300-foot long model aircraft strip located just south of the baseball fields off the Old Glenn Highway. The airstrip – complete with a new pad of gravel — is now 600 feet long and expanded in width by another 30 feet from its previous 45 feet to 75 feet wide.

Learn more about Frontier Fun Flyers online at www.frontierfunflyers.org.