Hundreds of horses

There’s many horses in the greater Palmer Community; most neighborhoods surrounding Palmer usually have a horse owner or two. Larger stables and farms are also common—while not as prolific as chickens and not as sparse as pigs. But horses are a recognizable presence, where-ever they live. The horse-loving community is large in our area. However, the only time you see horses—in large numbers—is at a stable, equestrian center, rodeo, parade or during a trail-ride.

“Stallions of the North”— This weekend you will be able to see lots of horses. The really big horses, specifically stallions, will be at the Alaska State Fair Grounds, “Stallions of the North”on Saturday, May 21, at the France Equestrian Center. This event is free and open to the public. “Come on out for a showcase of the beautiful stallions that call Alaska home.” The Knik River Riders 4H clubs will be preparing food. A beer/wine garden will be open. Miss Rodeo Alaska will be at the show, along with some other rodeo royalty. Professional demonstrations from various disciplines will show in the afternoon.

Horse Stables in the Palmer area—There’s lots of barns, stables and equestrian centers in our community; I won’t list them all but it’s an easy search. One of the stables is “Our Little Farm In Palmer,” up Clark Wolverine on Lazy Mountain. It is a very sweet place where horses are boarded and leased; there’s retreats, camps, lessons, birthday parties, and a kinder hour. Everyone is welcome from young children to awkward teens and on up to proficient (or not-so-proficient) adults. The big focus is the coaching and learning of the all-abiding love of horses. Horse care is comforting and horse riding inspires self confidence. There is an inherent joy that comes with working with horses. “Our Little Farm in Palmer,” seems to have captured the right formula to help anyone acquire the peace of horsemanship. The farm has approximately 30 different horses with a wide range of ages, disciplines, and sizes. The farm excels at choosing the right horse for the right person so that important connection will foster trust. Spending time with a horse is a unique interaction. The folks at “Our Little Farm,” are sensitive to both the person’s and the horse’s needs.

Local JOY Festival—Saturday is the JOY of Freedom Festival, at the Alaska State Fairgrounds. The goal is to raise funds to fight human trafficking. Grammy-nominated band Special Consensus headlines two full days of live bluegrass music with a dozen local bands performing on stage along with bluegrass jam sessions and workshops. This is billed as a “family-friendly” event. An Alaska State sanctioned BBQ competition, local vendor market, and food truck rally (along with a beer garden) is all part of the “joy.”

Last Chance at the Alaska Picker—The Alaska Picker Grand Finale Live Auction, Day 1 & 2 happens on Saturday and Sunday. This is a real, live auction at the Picker place and online. Alaska Premier Auctions & Appraisals is running the show. This is kinda a sad time, saying goodbye to Palmer’s Alaska Picker. It has sure been a fun place to go and we wish them well on their new adventures.

Saturday is Potato Plant Day —Saturday is Rebarchek Planting Day at the Rebarchek Farm Potato Patch in the Rebarchek Agricultural Park, adjacent to the Alaska State Fairgrounds. Fifty families will be given seed potatoes to plant between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm on Saturday, May 21st. In the fall, the same families will be invited back to our Harvest Day event to dig the potatoes they planted and take them home to enjoy. Check the website for details.

Sweet Norma is Back—On Sunday the 22nd of May is a lovely 80th birthday picnic for sweet Norma DeVilbiss at the Matanuska River Park. Norma lived here for decades but has since returned to her native home in Scotland. However, we are lucky that she is visiting now and she wants to see everyone!

More Palmer—The weekend promises garage sales, bike rides and live music around town. And the Janglebees will be at the Palmer Alehouse this weekend.

Barbara Hunt is both Palmer writer and artist. She works hard to keep the robust pulse of Palmer, Alaska. She shares the good stuff in the weekly Palmer Alaska Buzz Column in the Mat Su Valley Frontiersman and daily on the Palmer Alaska Buzz Facebook Group. Her “Palmer Buzz 2022 Community Calendar” is available at NonEssentials on Main Street. Contact at bhunt@mtaonline.net or text 907.315.3222