Friday Fling postponed until June

PALMER — One of Palmer’s most beloved spring and summer traditions has been postponed due to COVID-19 social distancing measures.

Friday Fling would normally be starting up around this time, but the Greater Palmer Chamber of Commerce is pushing the launch day to late June, accordring to Executive Director Ailis Vann.

“People love it. We posted on our Facebook page that it was gonna’ be delayed and people were bummed, but of course they understood and they’re sad it couldn’t start on time but they can’t wait to come out and enjoy just walking around the market and listening to the music and all that stuff,” Vann said. “Friday Fling is very cherished in Palmer.”

The chamber hopes to start the 2020 Friday Fling season no later than June 19. Vann said they’re still working out the details and they’re waiting for Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s next major announcement regarding state health mandates May 8.

Vann said they may end up extending Friday Fling into the fall so they can still have the full 16-week season, especially if the weather is as warm as it was last year.

About three or four vendors backed out of the 2020 Friday Fling season and received full refunds, according to Vann.

“Other people are willing to wait and see,” Vann said.

As of now, the Friday Fling can only open as a farmer’s market without any crafts or music, but that could change.

“There’s a substantial amount of those people, that’s their source of income, these markets. So if they can’t have a season, that’s no income for them for the year. It’s definitely something we want to take seriously,” Vann said.

Vann said once they’re able to work out the final details around whatever the state requires at the point of opening, she strives to have as much of the typical Friday Fling experience intact as possible.

“I’m hoping we’ll get to have a pretty normal market by then… We’ll just hope for the best,” Vann said.

Another, even bigger Palmer tradition is the Colony Days parade and festival weekend, which normally takes place the second weekend of June.

Vann said they may end up moving Colony Days to May, but it all depends on what the state announces, and what the next phase of losing social distancing looks like.

Vann said they’re also using this time to gather more supplies, sanitation equipment, and personal protective equipment.

“We’re trying to think of what we could do if public gatherings of more than 20 still aren’t allowed or anything. We’re trying to figure out how we can still bring some sort of festival to the people and meet those regulations,” Vann said.

In the meantime, locals can support local businesses. The chamber is in the second week of their Small Business Bingo campaign that encourages Valley shoppers to utilize local restaurants and stores, regardless if they’re on the chamber or not.

“It’s kind of fun. It gets people out… and thinking of local businesses at this time,” Vann said.

The chamber is also hosting virtual coffee chats each week that are open to the public.

For more information, call 907-745-2880 or visit palmerchamber.org.

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