Celebrating autumn: Wasilla museum hosts annual festival

WASILLA — The Wasilla Museum and Visitor Center gave Valley residents an excuse to enjoy the area’s unseasonably warm weather, hosting its annual Old Town Autumn Fest, a free event geared for families with young children, Saturday in Wasilla.

“This is the time of year when we start looking at the mountains and seeing the snow coming down so we rush outside and do things while we still can,” Kathy Mitchell, morning host on Classic Country 100.9, said with a laugh.

She has been a part of this festival for several years, helping out and providing music with a pair of big speakers in the back of the radio station’s truck.

“It’s a great way for families with kids to get together for a free afternoon of fun,” she said.

This year, a sizable crowd flowed steadily through the museum’s historic district to enjoy the simple pleasures of Halloweens of yore and the last remaining degrees of warmth before winter arrives. According to museum curator Bethany Buckingham, this event was designed with nostalgia in mind.

“We’re trying to do more vintage and classic activities,” Buckingham said.

Her aid, Sara Buie thumbed through a stack of vintage and replica postcards from some of the earliest American Halloweens, blown up to 8 by 10 inch sheets of parchment. Each postcard was adorned with classic, post-World War I style art. Buckingham wagered they were likely from the 1920’s or 1930’s era. Buie said the cards, along with their simple yet engaging activities helps, “bring back the old ways of celebrating Halloween and coming into autumn.”

“I love doing events for the community,” Buie said.

Buie started working at the museum at the beginning of the year. This is the first time she’s organized the fall festival.

“Most of our events are focused on kids, so I always try to keep the kids in mind and what would be fun for them,” she said.

Lynn Follett drove around the block for the wagon rides, arguably the most popular activity at this event and many others throughout the year at the museum. The line for the wagon ride had a steady pile of people, stretching around the main office, averaging about 20 until the event was finally over the last wagon ride was over. Kids could be seen in their various costumes, anxiously stirring for their turn on the wagon.

“I can’t say I understand it myself,” Follett said as she chuckled.

Each year, Follett said that the kids teem with giddiness inside the custom built, wooden wagon pulled by his red, pick-up truck. He said that seeing so many happy kids was his favorite part of the gig and that’s why this event was put together.

“It’s all about the kids,” he said. “I’m glad that Beth can put this on for free every year.”

The next free event at the museum will be their annual Christmas Celebration on Dec. 1 from 2 to 4 p.m. During the celebration, they will unveil their Christmas Village that will stand within their historic district until January 25, 2019. “Winter tourism is increasing. They’re starting to come earlier in the year now,” Buckingham said.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com