Annual Colony Days celebration draws thousands to Palmer

PALMER — Don’t make them angry.

You won’t like them when they’re angry.

Despite that warning to all pigs who dared challenge Integrated Logic, Matanuska Electric Association scored one for the “pigs” Saturday morning, beating the defending Colony Days Bed Race champions by a couple of steps. Racing their Angry Birds-themed bed, a familiar foe for fliers fouled Integrated Logic’s chances for a repeat.

The company’s theme was based on the popular cellphone game Angry Birds, which allows players to launch brightly colored birds at digital pigs.

“It was the wind’s fault,” said Yellow Bird Andrea Day. “It makes it hard stacking the cups at that (relay) station.”

It was a loss her husband, Blue Bird Matt Day, said was hard to swallow — and definitely makes the Integrated Logic team more angry for next year’s showdown.

“Yes, we’re really angry now,” he said. “And we’re coming back next year angrier and meaner.”

MEA CEO Joe Griffith also helped the Valley’s electricity cooperative score a clean sweep, winning Friday’s Head Honcho Bed Race. It was a win Greater Palmer Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jillyan Hendrickson said proves Griffith’s the top dog at laying down on the job.

“I tell you what, watching those obstacle courses those CEOs had, I noticed the one where they had to tie knots was the hardest for them,” she said. “In the end, Joe Griffith proved he had the power.”

The bed races were a fun lead-in to the annual event that celebrates the Valley’s Matanuska Colony roots, put down 76 years ago. Saturday saw thousands flock to downtown Palmer to enjoy a state fair-like atmosphere. Highlighting the day was the Colony Day Parade, mannequin-head bowling, a model railroad display and plenty of food and family games.

With temperatures in the 60s and clear skies, conditions were perfect for one of the most successful Colony Days ever, Hendrickson said.

“This is amazing. The weather’s fantastic, there’s people everywhere,” she said. “I don’t think there is anything this year I could’ve asked for that would make this better. We have so many great events, so many people, awesome food, great games and the parade — did you see the work people did on those floats this year? There’s not one thing more I could’ve asked for.”

Making a return this year after a successful debut in 2010 was the egg toss, a contest that left Hendrickson with egg on her face.

“I just completed the egg toss, and I was the first person out,” she said. “It’s a good thing I have a good job, because egg tossing is not in my future. The little 4-year-olds beat me pretty bad.”

Four-year-old Ethan Sperry was among the throngs of spectators to enjoy the parade Saturday morning. Son of Sean Sperry, an Anchorage resident who was born and raised in the Palmer area.

“I grew up right here in Palmer and have been coming to Colony Days pretty much all my life,” Sean said.

“I got two lollipops!” piped up Ethan. “One’s green and the other’s chocolate.”

Which is his favorite?

“Both,” he said.

What got his young motor running was the variety of tractors in the parade.

“I like the tractors because they move fast,” Ethan said, pointing out a late-model John Deere. “Some are little and some are big. That one is a nice tractor. It’s a big one.”

Farther up the parade route Margaret Bean was enjoying the day with her 4-year-old grandson, Ashton.

“This is our second time to come to Colony Days,” she said. “We came last year and came back because last year was so much fun — hey, I just got a T-shirt!”

The highlight of the day for young Ashton was a converted 1976 Mazda pickup Judy Foster and Fred Keller made into a drivable Radio Flyer red wagon.

Ashton said he wishes he had a wagon like that, and if he did, “I would pull it around. I’m strong enough,” he said, before being distracted by a gorilla on in-line skate handing out candy.

Hollie Metzler is originally from Phoenix, Ariz., but now lives in Palmer. She was enjoying Colony Days for the first time since 2002.

“It’s wonderful and beautiful today,” she said. “I came from a big town in Phoenix, so this is kind of a small parade, but I like that small-town feel. My parents are here visiting, so we’re here to give them the small-town parade experience. It’s a beautiful day. It would be a shame to stay inside today.”

While the weather was near perfect, Colony Days still managed to attract some who may not have been up to much good.

“I’m the criminal element,” said Eric Carlson.

Sporting the black-and-white stripes of a prisoner, Carlson was escorted through the parade and around downtown Palmer by a pair of police chaperones as part of the Mat-Su Crime Stoppers float.

Well, maybe one-and-a-half chaperones.

“He’s doing the best he can for his size,” Officer Donald Snovel said of 6-year-old Officer Landon Buchannan.

Also know as No. 631128, Carlson is an example of how not to be a good member of the community. As this was his fourth year as part of the Crime Stoppers float, maybe he’s a little slow on that learning curve.

“I can’t tell you what I did to get in trouble,” he said. “What can I say? The program works. I’m working on changing my ways. This is the fourth time (to be nabbed by Crime Stoppers) so maybe by next year I’ll have figured it out. I makes me very, very ashamed.”

At the Palmer Depot, 6-year-old Anton Howe became excited over Marty Quaas’ model railroad display. The Palmer boy is a big fan of model railroads and became animated looking at the intricate details of the display.

“I like them because they can move and have a lot of couplers,” he said. “I have lots of (trains) too. I like (trains) because they go on tracks and they carry cargo. These ones are carrying hoppers with, um …”

“Coal,” helps mom, Marina Howe.

If he could add anything to the layout, which included the ship of a visitor from another planet, Anton would load it up with “more cars, buildings, trains and tracks.”

Colony Days is a good family event, Marina said.

“I like the feeling of the festivities and of community,” she said. “It’s very nice. Of course, the parade is always fun.”

The fun continues today at 9 a.m. with the opening of the Palmer Visitor Center and Museum.

Contact Greg Johnson at greg.johnson@frontiersman.com or 352-2269.