First Friday Fling of the season draws large crowd

PALMER — The first Friday Fling of the 2023 season drew a large crowd throughout the day, May 12.

“The first Friday fling was great. The weather was absolutely perfect and people were so happy to be out and about," Greater Palmer Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ailis Vann said. "The turnout was better than we were expecting and we are grateful that people came out to enjoy it."

Friday Fling is an annual outdoor marketplace located in downtown Palmer near the library and museum. Each year, it features an array of local vendors selling a variety of goods ranging from farm-fresh produce to handmade gifts.

Over 100 vendors have signed up to participate in Friday Fling over the course of the season, according to Vann. She said that about 60 vendors on average will be available at the market each week.

Vann said it’s always exciting to see the latest endeavors of local entrepreneurs and the continued flow of business that flows through downtown Palmer. She said it's a great jumping-off point for new small businesses or an effective way for established businesses to maintain and broaden their clientele.

"I love the variety in the vendors this year. It's a great mix of returning vendors and new ones," Vann said.

Angelique Snedden and Amethyst Childress ran the Bushes Bunches vendor booth and sold locally grown crops to a variety of visitors throughout the day Friday, May 12. Snedden said that she enjoyed her first time working at Friday Fling and that everything worked out well. She said that getting to see so many new and familiar faces was the best part.

"I was very smooth and fun," Snedden said.

Snedden and Childress both grew up in the Valley and have been to their fair share of Friday Flings. Childress said one of her favorite aspects of the summer market is the sheer variety of food options that are available each year.

"You get to try a bunch of things that you would normally try," Childress said.

For more information about Friday Fling, visit palmerchamber.org/fridayfling.

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