Christmas to dominate Palmer this weekend

PALMER — Colony Christmas, through years and years of growth, has come to encompass pretty much all of downtown.

“We’ve got stuff going on from as far south as The Gallery and there’s three events going on up on Arctic (Avenue) this year,” said Greater Palmer Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ralph Renzi.

There are also events at such far-flung spots as the Alaska State Fairgrounds — an open house featuring Ken Peltier, Hobo Jim and Gov. Sean Parnell, who will read Christmas stories — Palmer Job Corps — one of the many, many craft fairs that are part of the weekend of events — Mat-Su Senior Services — another craft fair — and even outside city limits at Lazy Mountain Bible Church, which will stage a production of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.”

Renzi said planning for the event starts in September. The chamber’s all-volunteer special events committee heads that up.

“They help put it together, help come up with great events and make it happen,” Renzi said. “They do all the work. They really do. And it’s just amazing. It’s a great group of folks.”

The list of new events this year includes a Friday wine tasting at the museum, a puck shoot in the NAPA parking lot, free half-hour snow bike test drives from Backcountry Bike and Ski, T-shirt coloring, dog mushing and a slew of crafting events for kids. Also, for kids there’s a Bucking Salmon (Alaska’s version of a mechanical bull) and a pony wheel.

Renzi said the ponies and salmon are a replacement for the ice sculptures they had for kids to play on last year.

“We decided to bring in the pony wheel ride and the bucking salmon,” he said. “It just seems to be a little bit more fun for the kids to play around on that stuff.”

And the ponies and salmon are both free.

“Almost everything is completely free,” Renzi said. “If you want a professional Santa photo, then they charge you $5, but otherwise you can go see Santa on your own.”

Contact Andrew Wellner at 352-2270

or andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com.

Colony Christmas is on this weekend with a laundry list of holiday events throughout Palmer and the downtown area. Following is a schedule of events.

Friday

• All day: View the Community Christmas Tree, sponsored by Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union, east end of Evergreen Avenue at the Library.

• All day: Palmer Water Tower photo op, presented by the city of Palmer, next to the Large Pavilion.

• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Gingerbread houses, sponsored by Alaska USA Federal Credit Union, Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home, 250 E. Fireweed Ave., and at various downtown businesses. Look for a list at the Pioneers Home.

• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Light Up A Life Hospice Tree at the Koslosky’s Center, 642 S. Alaska St.

• 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Christmas Bazaar at Turkey Red banquet room, 550 S. Alaska St.

• Noon to 6 p.m.: Festival of Trees at the Palmer Depot. Eight beautiful trees will be raffled off, plus other prizes, benefits the Mat-Su Special Santa Program and sponsored by Ohana Media Group.

• Noon to 6 p.m.: Arts and Crafts Fair at Palmer Depot, sponsored by The Greatlander.

• 6 to 8 p.m.: “’Twas the Night Before Colony Christmas” reception and wine tasting at Palmer Museum of History and Art, 723 S. Valley Way.

• 7 p.m.: Annual Service of Remembrance at Legacy Kehl’s Palmer Chapel, 209 S. Alaska St.

• 7 p.m.: “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” at Lazy Mountain Bible Church, 16005 E. Shawn Dr.

• 8 p.m. to midnight: Holiday Ball Benefiting United Way of Mat-Su at Raven Hall on the Alaska State Fairgrounds, Glenn Highway.

Saturday

Free shuttle server to many Saturday events from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., courtesy Mat-Su Senior Services and Pioneer Equipment.

• All day: View the Community Christmas Tree, sponsored by Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union, east end of Evergreen Avenue at the Library.

• All day: Palmer Water Tower photo op, presented by the city of Palmer, next to the Large Pavilion.

• 9 to 11 a.m.: Lions Club Pancake Breakfast at the Salvation Army, 209 W. Evergreen Ave.

• 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Craft Bazaar at Mat-Su Seniors Services, 1132 S Chugach St.

• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Festival of Trees at the Palmer Depot. Eight beautiful trees will be raffled off, plus other prizes, benefits the Mat-Su Special Santa Program and sponsored by Ohana Media Group.

• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Kids activities and warm-up station; frost a Christmas cookie at Cover-Ups, 840 S. Colony Way.

• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Information booth at the Palmer Depot.

• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Alaska Job Corps Holly-Day Craft Fair, 800 Lynn Martin Dr.

• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Cookies, cider, movies and cartoons, plus and art exhibit at Palmer Museum of History and Art, 723 S. Valley Way.

• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Gingerbread houses, sponsored by Alaska USA Federal Credit Union. Voting Begins at 11:30 a.m., winners announced at 1 p.m., at Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home, 250 E. Fireweed Ave., and at various businesses (look for a list at the Pioneers Home).

• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Colony House Museum Open House, 316 E. Elmwood Ave., presented by the Palmer Historical Society.

• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Snow Bike Demo; free half-hour test rides, at Backcountry Bike & Ski, 132 W. Arctic Ave.

• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Arts and Crafts Fair at the Palmer Depot, sponsored by The Greatlander.

• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Arts and Crafts Fair at the Mat-Su Borough Gym, 350 E. Dahlia Ave.

• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Information booth at the borough gym.

• 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.: Light Up A Life Hospice Tree at the Koslosky’s Center, 642 S. Alaska St.

• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Cookie Contest, sponsored by MEA, at Eagle Hotel, 918 S. Colony Way.

• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Warming station with free coffee, tea and hot chocolate, presented by Greg and Sherri Shepard with Jack White Real Estate at the Palmer Library, 655 S. Valley Way.

• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Kids Puck Shoot with prizes, hot chocolate, popcorn and extra parking at NAPA, 217 E. Arctic Ave.

• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Denali Destroyer Dolls Holiday Hair at Downtown Palmer Plaza, 550 S. Alaska St.

• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Photos with Santa, sponsored by IBEW Local 1547 at the Downtown Palmer Plaza Deli, 550 S. Alaska St.

• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Free kids T-shirt coloring at Silvertip Design, 421 S. Alaska St.

• 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Alaska Sound Celebration and Christmas Caroling around Palmer.

• 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Learn about mushing and meet the dogs, presented by Northern Lights Adventures, at the Palmer Museum of History and Art, 723 S. Valley Way.

• 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Make a free fused glass ornament or suncatcher (while supplies last), presented by Half Moon Creek at 439 W. Elmwood Ave.

• 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Free pony wheel rides, sponsored by Capstone Family Medicine, Eye Clinic and Urgent Care at the pavilion across from the Palmer Museum.

• 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Bike-themed sleigh photo station at Backcountry Bike & Ski, 132 W. Arctic Ave.

• 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.: Nativity displays at the LDS Church, 560 W. Arctic Ave.

• 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.: Christmas Bazaar at Turkey Red banquet room, 550 S. Alaska St.

• Noon to 3 p.m.: Build your own marshmallow snowman and free hot chocolate, sponsored by Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, at Eagle Hotel, 918 S. Colony Way.

• Noon to 3 p.m.: Free kids games, presented by CCS Early Learning, outside the Palmer Depot.

• Noon to 3 p.m.: Ride the Bucking Salmon, sponsored by Capstone Family Medicine, Eye Clinic and Urgent Care, at the pavilion across from the Palmer Museum.

• Noon to 4 p.m.: Free kids face painting and balloon animals, presented by Church on the Rock at the Eagle Hotel, 918 S. Colony Way.

• Noon to 4 p.m.: Snowmachine sled rides, presented by Alaska Backcountry Adventure Tours, in the open area next to Colony Inn.

• Noon to 4 p.m.: Radio Flyer Toy Drive to benefit Mat -Su Special Santa, sponsored by Country Legends 100.9. Donate an unwrapped toy at the Radio Flyer vehicle in the visitors center parking lot.

• Noon to 4 p.m.: Free horse-drawn sleigh rides at the pavilion across from the Palmer Museum, sponsored by Usibelli Coal Mine.

• 12:30 to 1 p.m.: Alaska Sound Celebration Concert at the Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home, 250 E. Fireweed Ave.

• 1 to 4 p.m.: Reindeer petting, feeding and photos with animals from the Reindeer Farm, sponsored by and hosted at Wells Fargo on South Alaska Street.

• 1 to 4 p.m.: Chainsaw artistry demonstration at Chickadees, 175 W. Arctic Ave.

• 1 to 5 p.m.: Meet and greet renowned artist Gail Niebrugge at The Gallery, 1150 S. Colony Way.

• 2 to 4 p.m.: Color and take home a free Alaska ornament at NuKreationz, 735 S. Bailey St.

• 2 to 4 p.m.: Ice Castles on the Green ice sculpture carving behind Rusty’s 320 E. Dahlia St., presented by Valley Arts Alliance. Free prize drawing at 4 p.m.

• 2:30 p.m.: Youth Mitten Money Scramble outside the Palmer Depot, presented by CCS Early Learning.

• 2:30 to 4 p.m.: Smoosh race in front of the Palmer Depot, sponsored by Mat-Su Regional Medical Center.

• 4 to 8 p.m.: Free parking, chili feed, hot beverages, cookies, children’s crafts and student art show at Alaska Bible College, 248 E. Elmwood Ave.

• 4:30 and 6 p.m.: Mat-Su Community Chorus will perform near the ice sculptures

behind Rusty’s, 320 E. Dahlia St.

• 5 p.m.: Parade of Lights, Sponsored by MTA. Mayor’s Best Dressed Palmer Business Award announced.

• 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.: Local entertainer Diana Z plus belly dance showcase at 6 pm, free treats, at Midnight Sun Yoga Center, 832 S. Colony Way.

• 6:30 p.m.: Fireworks extravaganza in the library parking lot, sponsored by BP.

Sunday

• All day: View the Community Christmas Tree, sponsored by Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union, east end of Evergreen Avenue at the Library.

• All day: Palmer Water Tower photo op, presented by the city of Palmer, next to the Large Pavilion.

• 9 to 10:30 a.m.: Triathlon registration, sponsored by Mat-Su Health Foundation and presented by The Alaska Club, 12051 E. Palmer-Wasilla Highway.

• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Palmer Museum of History and Art Open House, 723 S. Valley Way.

• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Light Up A Life Hospice Tree at the Koslosky’s Center, 642 S. Alaska St.

• 11 a.m.: Triathlon starts.

• Noon to 8 p.m.: Palmer Pioneer Hockey Steak Feed at the Moose Lodge, 1136 S. Cobb St. Tickets $15, available at door or from players.

• 1 to 4 p.m.: Christmas Open House at Raven Hall, presented by The Alaska State Fair. Hobo Jim and Ken Peltier will co-host this free, family friendly event, which will feature a special reading of “The Night Before Christmas” by Gov. Sean Parnell, live Christmas-inspired music, visits with Santa Claus and his reindeer and elves, refreshments, photo opportunities, buggy and sleigh rides around the fairgrounds (weather permitting), special children’s activities and more. It’s all at Raven Hall on the Alaska State Fairgrounds.

• 2 to 7 p.m.: Nativity display at LDS Church, at 560 W. Arctic Ave.