Best time In Palmer

This is the very best time of year. Bees boxes are being strategically placed in yards, gardens and fields. Happy chirping chicks are being picked up at the post office. Seagulls swooped into town this weekend and Ravens are not so happy at their arrival. Swans are on the lakes and cranes are in the fields. A baby muskox has arrived along with many baby reindeer, baby cows, and baby goats. Rhubarb red bulbs have pushed through; primroses are blossoming, a few tulips on the south side of buildings are up along with some brave daffodils. Street sweepers are in full operation; windows are being cleaned and trash collection has started. Potholes are plentiful and puddles are draining.

Who Let The Girls Out—Women are ready and waiting….it’s been a long and hard winter But this weekend is Who Let The Girls Out, an annual “spring fling” kick off to the crazy, wonderful Palmer summer season. If you don’t know about this very local celebration, then pay attention. It is truly an initiation to the high summer season. It signals that the weather has changed and all of our wonderful local shopkeepers are still in business and ready for a Palmer Party. There are so many things to do and yes, it is very female oriented. There’s shopping, workshops, prizes, raffles, classes, music and food and art and fashion and killer desserts and nonprofits and missions and campaigns and markets and dancing and singing and it always blends together in a very inclusive and collective joyous weekend. It all happens downtown Palmer in the shops and on the sidewalks and everywhere in-between on Friday and Saturday.

Lots Going on in Palmer—Here is a snapshot of upcoming events. On April 30, Backyard Chickens take over along with Dr Steve Brown at Rebarchek Agricultural Park, next to the Alaska State Fairgrounds. The Construction Career Day happens at Raven Hall at the Alaska State Fair on May 1; Valley Chrome and Wheel Car Show at MTA Events Arena on May 3-5; Academy Charter EPIC yard sale on May 10 and 11; Vintage Market is at the Raven Hall and the Alaska state Fair Grounds on May 10-12; Friday Flings in Palmer begin on May 17. Stallions of the North—June 2; Colony Days is downtown Palmer on the 2nd weekend in June 7-9; Juneteenth at palmer pavilion on June 19; Solstice is June 21. The fabulous Scottish Highland Games are at the Alaska State Fair Grounds on June 29 and 30. There are probably other great events but this should get you through the end of June. July and August are jam packed but I will save that list til later.

Get Ready And Saddle Up!—May is going to pop in Palmer. Live music will be every single weekend. Festivals will happen on a regular basis with different themes, emphasis and populations. Greenhouses will be open. Food trucks will be on the streets. Families and dog walkers will be everywhere. Bikers, runners, and skaters will be very visible. Flowers baskets will be hung. Performance artists will show up. May is the beginning of air shows, car shows, rodeo, city and borough clean ups, dump days. plant sales, garage sales, markets, vendor shows, revivals, marches, and rallies.

The next 120 days will be jammed up with fun events, great weather, picnics, races, day trips, tourists, and happy children. This is our season in the Palmer area and there is no where better to live.

Barbara Hunt is both Palmer writer and artist. She works hard to keep the robust pulse of Palmer, Alaska. She shares the good stuff in the weekly Palmer Alaska Buzz Column in the Mat Su Valley Frontiersman and daily on the Palmer Alaska Buzz Facebook Group.. Contact at bhunt@mtaonline.net or text 907.315.3222