Holiday spirit hits downtown Palmer

The 2024 Colony Christmas celebration brought thousands of visitors to downtown Palmer from Dec. 13 to Dec. 15.

Anyone making their way around Palmer during Colony Christmas was able to witness widespread holiday spirit in the form of bright and colorful decorations, cheerful and family friendly festivities, and happy faces around every corner. It also happened to snow over the weekend, adding a scenic backdrop to the various community activities.

“It's amazing. There's so many people down here,” Greater Palmer Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kelly Shoemake said. “It was kind of like a Hallmark holiday special down here with the snow today.

The Palmer Chamber coordinates Colony Christmas each year with participating businesses, nonprofits, community groups, and individuals across the community.

“It's amazing how the small town has come together,” Shoemake said.

Shoemake said that she was thrilled with how many people showed up to Colony Christmas this year.

“The turnout is amazing," Shoemake said.

The annual Parade of Lights is the largest Colony Christmas event and draws visitors both near and far to watch it unfold each year. This year was no exception. The sidewalks along the parade route were filled elbow to elbow with enthusiastic spectators watching dozens of floats make their way down South Alaska Street. A firework show took place immediately the parade, and the crowds cheered loudly after the finale.

S'Mel's Amazing Candle Co. owner Melissa Seltenreich said that she appreciated the huge influx of visitors that came for the parade and fireworks.

“As a vendor, I loved it,” Seltenreich said with a laugh. “It was a lot of people.”

Seltenreich was one of numerous local vendors that participated in the holiday market at the Palmer Train Depot. She said that she had a great time being involved with this annual event.

“I felt like it was really good,” Seltenreich said.

Seltenreich said that she started her small business in 2022, and she predominantly makes her sales at community events in the Mat-Su Valley and Anchorage. She said that she knows many of the other vendors through past events and it was nice seeing them at Colony Christmas.

“It's an interesting little community,” Seltenreich said. “Everyone is just trying to make a living. They're really good salt of the earth people.”

Seltenreich said this was her second time being a Colony Christmas vendor, and she also participated in Colony Days for the first time during the summer. She said both experiences were very enjoyable.

“I really loved it. You see a lot of familiar faces,” Seltenreich said.

Seltenreich commended the Palmer Chamber's efforts making Colony Christmas so successful each year.

“I'm sure it's a lot of work,” Seltenreich said.

Shoemake said that Colony Christmas is similar to its summer sibling, Colony Days. Both events are some of the longest held community events and continue to honor the original colony that settled in Palmer. On top of historic significance, these events also have a way of bringing community members together in many fun filled ways.

“It's extremely important," Shoemake said.