Lunkers thwarted

PALMER — Lots of laughter left lurking lunkers in the lurch this weekend as Colony Days drew hundreds to the town’s annual downtown blowout.

After 18 years in hibernation, event organizers were fearful Grotto-Lunkers — mean-spirited creatures who live to spoil fun — would crash this year’s Colony Days. Although there were some lunker sightings, especially during Saturday’s parade, the dragon-like monsters failed to foil the festivities, said Jillyan Webb, executive director for the Greater Palmer Chamber of Commerce.

“We saw quite a few of them, actually,” she said. “There were a couple of mean ones in the parade. They didn’t crash Colony Days, but it was a close call.”

A combination of carnival rides, games, food and unique events created an atmosphere no lunker could stand, Webb said.

One of those events, the annual bed races, was as competitive as ever, with a team from the IBEW union beating out the Palmer chamber team. Making its debut this year was the popular Mannequin Head Bowling, sponsored by B Bella Hair Design.

Instead of traditional bowling pins, adults and children took their turns attempting to bowl over an array of mannequin heads, each sporting an unusual hair design.

Storm Dildine, 8, explained knocking over the “really creepy” heads was harder than expected.

“It was kinda fun,” she said.

B Bella stylist Maude Martorell said the head were scary looking for a reason.

“We’re trying to scare off the Grotto-Lunker,” she said. “The louder we are, the more they don’t want to be here.”

There were as many approaches to mannequin bowling as there were heads. Dildine used a “granny” approach rolling the ball with two hands, while 5-year-old Brynn Miller used an overhand “dodgeball” throw.

“You kinda have to throw it pretty hard to knock them all down,” he said.

For others, the entire Colony Days experience was the draw. Bradley Delaney has lived in Palmer for three years, but this was the first year he and his family attended Colony Days.

“It’s great,” he said. “Good food, a fabulous parade and the mannequin bowling is fantastic.”

His 2-year-old son, Jordan, had a great time looking at the big trucks and cars in the parade, Delaney said.

“Today we saw a lot,” he said. “Every time he saw a truck he called out ‘Mack’ from (the movie) ‘Cars.’”

From a large color poster of a salmon people signed to send to Alaska troops serving overseas to the carnival to a model railroad display, Colony Days offered something to pique the interest of most, Webb said.

As a new addition to the chamber, Webb said her first Colony Days was a great experience — and she had a message for the IBEW bed race team that beat out the chamber.

“I had so much fun, but now IBEW better watch out for next year,” she said. “I can’t wait to do it again.”

Contact Greg Johnson at greg.johnson@frontiersman.com or 352-2269.

AND THE WINNERS ARE …

Colony Days Bed Races

First Place — IBEW team of Andy Korzeniewski, Tony Hardwick, Adam Drinkhouse, Donte Kelly and Cory Williams.

Second Place — Greater Palmer Chamber of Commerce team of Jillyan Webb, Keith Hendrickson, Kyle Welton, David Combs and Sue Welton.

Colony Days Parade Winners

Overall — 1. North Star Animal Hospital; 2. State Forestry; 3. Denali Gymnastics.

Business — 1. Palmer State Farm; 2. O Born Marketing; 3. IBEW.

Political — 1. Alaska Tea Party; 2. Mat-Su Democrats.

Public Safety — 1. Palmer Emergency Services.

Family/Children/Pets — 1. Northern Lights Swim; 2. Moms Club of Palmer; 3. Palmer Little League.

Vehicle — 1. Al Schadle; 2. Tony Paden; 3. Samson Electric.

Fraternal/Royalty — 1. Palmer Elks; 2. AK National Pageant; 3. Civil Air Patrol.

Agriculture — 1. Misty Circle; 2. Mat-Su Experimental Station UAF.

Music/Dance — 1. Arctic Predators Dance and Super Stars.

Community Service — 1. Mat-Su Crime Stoppers; 2. Alaska Army National Guard; 3. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Theme “Return of the Grotto-Lunker” — 1. Off Her Rocker; 2. Nan Potts; 3. Antique Club of Alaska.

Parade Goddess Choice Award — 4 C Farm.