History featured at fair

PALMER — The movie “Alaska Far Away” returns to the Alaska State Fair with free screenings at the Wineck Barn at noon and 5 p.m., daily, except on Sept. 2. “Where the River Matanuska Flows” shows at 2 p.m., except Aug. 3 and Sept. 2.

Also on display inside the barn is the exhibit “Alaska Far Away: Documenting An American Adventure Story,” which tells the story of the making of the documentary. DVDs of both films will be available for purchase.

Also on display at the barn from noon to 8 p.m., daily is Valley Arts Alliance’s “One Tree Special Art Exhibit.” One birch tree was selected from those removed as part of the clearing for the new Trunk Road reconstruction and participating artists each received a piece of the tree to transform into art.

Additional events in the Wineck Barn include:

• Aug. 25, 11 a.m., Colony History Garden — Students from Machetanz Elementary School planted a history garden in May featuring plants that were farmed by the original Matanuska colonists in 1935. The garden is being harvested with much of the bounty going to the local food bank.

• Aug. 26, 11 a.m., Colony Kids — Matanuska Valley author Heather Lehe has written a novel called “Colony Kids” that the story of the first summer through the eyes of the Colony children.

• Aug. 30, 2 to 5 p.m., Hay Bale Theater — Celebrate Alaska Grown Day with a special showing of films celebrating Alaska’s agricultural heritage.

• Sept. 1, 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., Matanuska Colony Barns — Author and photographer Helen Hegener will talk about her upcoming book “Matanuska Colony Barns.”