First Friday Fling of the season springs into action next week under new management, the Greater Palmer Chamber of Commerce

PALMER — Friday Fling is almost back in swing. The first Friday Fling of the season is next week and will be at its usual location in downtown Palmer, facing the Palmer Museum of History and Art.

The Greater Palmer Chamber of Commerce recently took over Friday Fling and according to Executive Director, Ailis Vann, Palmer’s most popular market and longtime tradition will be the same thing people look forward to every year.

“People are just excited that Friday Fling is almost here. I think it’s something we all look forward to in the summer time. It’s a great summer tradition in Palmer.”

Friday Flingers can expect a spectrum of local food and goods to choose from. A total of 55 vendors have signed up so far, with space still open for more, according to Vann. She said there are 12 new vendors this year, bringing a variety of products to the market, including food, knives and glasswork.

This year, the chamber took the reins from the Palmer Economic Development Authority, a dissolving nonprofit, according to Vann. Now that they’re overseeing the market, she said they want to carry on the tradition and build it up to be “bigger and better” each year to support their local businesses and community.

“I feel like the Friday Fling has a really great relationship with the City of Palmer and we just want to continue that.

Vann said the chamber will be taking input from the vendors and the public to help form the future of the market. They’re currently in the process of hiring a new market manager. She said the chamber is not making any major changes this year, they will observe and gather input.

“We’ll see what they like about the market and what they don’t like and what we can do to make it better for everybody,” Vann said.

Friday Fling is also known to feature local musicians from across the community and this year is no exception. A number of musicians are sure to take the stage and serenade the sun beat shoppers. Vann said the chamber is currently working to upgrade the sound system.

“I don’t think that there’s anything crazy that’s going to change. The road construction project on the Glenn might affect things a little bit this year, but the city doing its best to mitigate that… and Friday Flings, they’ll be doing their thing next Friday,” Vann said.

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