70th anniversary of Colony project being celebrated

June 7, 2005

CASEY RESSLER/Valley Life editor

The 70th anniversary celebration of the Matanuska Colony Project officially begins Thursday, as Colony Days take over downtown Palmer once again.

This year's event commemorates 70 years since the 202 families packed up their homes in the Midwest and came to Alaska to homestead. Throughout the Colony Days festivities, that history will be highlighted and celebrated in Palmer.

The festival kicks off with amusement park rides, which is a first for Colony Days.

Golden Wheel Amusement is setting up shop in the Palmer Public Library, and for $25, people can ride 15 rides on Thursday, from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.

On Friday, the first round of events get started, with chalk art beginning at 10 a.m.

A festival area is being established near the Palmer Depot, which will host many of the events. Throughout the afternoon Friday, Friday Flings will have vendors peddling their wares, live music and a landscaper's market.

Friday concludes with an ice cream social at 5:30 p.m. at the depot, and a classic car rally through downtown Palmer from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

On Saturday, Colony Days hits its stride, starting with a pancake breakfast.

At 9 a.m., those who have a hard time rolling out of bed will be in luck - bed races through downtown Palmer are taking place. Sign up early - if you can get out of bed.

Live music will be featured throughout the day, including performances by the U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific, Just Playin' Jazz and the Mat-Su Community Band.

Historical displays are being set up in the Palmer Depot that detail the Colony project.

There is also a toy train display, a farm toy display and an open house at the Colony House Museum on Saturday.

The Blood Bank of Alaska will also be at Colony Days, signing up donors with the organization's motorhome-turned-blood collector, the Bloodmobile.

Of course, no festival would be complete without a parade, and one of Alaska's best goes right through Palmer during Colony Days.

The "Bright Future, A Rich History" parade starts at 11 a.m. and winds its way through downtown Palmer, much to the delight of the usually large crowd.

Kids can join the fun with a bike rodeo in the festival area at 12:30 p.m.

Last year, it was a highlight for many.

Colony Days concludes with the annual Bill Mitchell Fun Run, which starts at 11 a.m. Sunday in the Mat-Su Borough parking lot.

For a complete schedule of Colony Days events, check out the special Colony Days supplement in today's newspaper.

The Colony Days celebration is put on by the Palmer Chamber of Commerce each year.