'Hometown feeling' 2023 Colony Days festival features full weekend of family friendly fun

PALMER — The 2023 Colony Days festival drew a large and enthusiastic crowd over the weekend.

"The attendance was awesome," Greater Palmer Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ailis Vann said.

Colony Days is a three-day festival that offers a wide variety of community events and activities that are suitable for the whole family.

The Palmer Chamber and their community partners hosted a multitude of events such as 5K runs, bed races, and a children's carnival.

"One of my favorite things to do during the festival is sit and watch the world go by. It's so fun to see families come back year after year for the event. I see kiddos getting older and still having a great time," Vann said.

The Colony Days festival has become a cherished community tradition that people far and wide look forward to every summer. It draws in scores of visitors from across the Mat-Su Valley and beyond. Vann said the Chamber is honored to host this widely beloved event and looks forward to preserving it and growing it for years to come.

"The event has grown a lot over the years, but still holds the traditions of years past, like the bed races, parade, and car show," Vann said.

The Colony Days Parade continues to be the largest and most popular event. Parade spectator Michelle Sturgeon said that she's always enjoyed watching the various floats go by with her family and friends. She said that Colony Days represents everything she loves about living in the Mat-Su Valley.

"This is the hometown feeling. This is what it's all about," Sturgeon said. "Look at all these people that donate their time to make this thing happen."

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