Community members recognized during 32nd annual Palmer Pride Picnic

PALMER — People from the Palmer community ate free food and celebrated their neighbors during the 32nd annual Palmer Pride Picnic Friday, July 23 at the Palmer Train Depot.

Local farmers contributed fresh vegetables, and dozens of hot dogs were grilled up and served to a modest but enthusiastic crowd. Several community members received awards for their contributions making Palmer a better place to live.

“This is a community of helping hearts… We’re proud of everyone in this community,” Palmer Pride event coordinator, Linda Combs said.

Palmer Mayor Edna DeVries handed out awards to recipients attending this year’s ceremony.

Dr. Alex Hills received the Lifetime Achievement Award for exhibiting “kindness, compassion, and the unwavering pioneer spirit of Palmer.”

“Dr. Hills has been such a great part of Palmer… What we gave him today was just a small token. Really, it should be a statewide award that he should get for his foresight and vision for what the state needed to grow,” DeVries said.

Hills said it was an honor to receive the award, and he loves the Palmer community.

“It’s always great to come home to Palmer,” Hills said.

New Horizons Telecom, Inc. President and CEO Leighton Lee received the Citizen of the Year Award.

Palmer Airport Superintendent, Frank Kelly credited Lee as a vital supporter of the Great Alaska Aviation Gathering, which was hosted in Palmer for the first time in the event’s history this year.

“It just wouldn’t have been the same event,” Kelly said.

Kelly said that he appreciates Palmer’s small-town charm, savoring the sense of community that’s stuck with the area in spite of the Valley’s continued growth. He said events like this bring that message home.

“It’s nice to see the people in the city of Palmer are appreciated. We still essentially live in Mayberry in many ways. If there’s an Alaskan equivalent, it’s here,” Kelly said.

DeVries said it was nice being able to catch up with the Hills, Lee, and other community members after having to postpone last year’s ceremony.

“We appreciate you very much for staying with us,” DeVries said. “That’s just two great people we have in Palmer and we have many, many more.”

Hills and Lee were the only recipients to accept their awards in person this year. Overall attendance was lighter than usual.

“We have to find a way to let people know about events like this,” Combs said. “Let’s all come together for the place we love.”

Palmer Pride takes place on the fourth Friday of July every year. The tradition stems from local business owners and community members banding together to celebrate their pride in the area after promoting Palmer as a finalist for the All-American City Contest in the Lower 48.

DeVries said that she enjoys having an annual reason to come together to brag about Palmer and its people.

“I think it’s great anytime we celebrate Palmer,” DeVries said. “It’s home.”

Combs currently serves in Palmer’s Planning and Zoning Commission, but she’s been a part of Palmer’s happenings for many years. She said her husband and former Palmer Mayor, John Combs was the one who came up with the city’s slogan, “Alaska at its Best.”

“We’ve celebrated so many things and so many great people… people that have just contributed so much here,” Combs said.

Janet Kincaid is a longtime Palmer business owner and another major contributor to the community as a whole. She said it was nice seeing so many familiar faces at this year’s Palmer Pride event.

“It’s been a great place to raise a family and run a business. You know everybody. My grandkids can’t get away with much,” Kincaid said with a laugh.

To watch the 2021 Palmer Pride award ceremony, visit https://www.facebook.com/679054975455877/videos/211906470859981

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