Midnight Sun in Palmer

Summer Solstice was this past weekend. Mid night Sun Celebrations are handled uniquely in Alaska. Somewhere there are overnight festivals and parties. Great music and various bands are abundant along with the extra energy and endless light.

But my Midnight Sun is weeding the garden at 12 or 1am. It’s only me and the birds. Even the dogs have gone to bed by then. It is a magical kind of quiet and light. Lots of people are sleeping sound by then because the long summer days demand rest regardless of the sun’s mighty lasting power. I think I can hear many people sleeping in our community, when I am gardening and weeding at midnight. There is occasional activity, a car-full of kids, or a souped up truck, or a motorcycle rumble…but for the most part it is a thick, dense and delightful silence. At midnight in June, colors are different. Red flowers glow more brilliantly in the semi dusk twilight. Lots of the greens and blues blend together so weeding requires a bit of study. But the Bugs are not awake so there isn’t that annoyance. I would never lawn-mow or weed whack at midnight because it seems disrespectful and noisy. But weeding is a quiet activity and there is such peace and solace in the unexpected grounding pleasure of choosing to sitting in the moist grass during Alaska summer’s special nature hour at midnight.

This Weekend is the Alaska Scottish Highland Games!—This Alaska State Fairgrounds annual Festival just keeps getting better and better each year. Palmer is so fortunate to have this terrific festival in our back yard. It’s both Saturday and Sunday and well worth your while. It definitely feels like a smaller and more curated, thematic state fair.

What People Say about the Alaska Scottish Highland Games—Palmer peeps aren’t the only attendees at the games. In fact it attracts so many people from all around the state, the country and even world wide visitors or participants. I keep my ears open when I am wandering the booths, sitting in the Tea tent, observing the clan gatherings, or watching the lusty singers and dancers. I have heard many conversations about this festival. The primary comments and critiques repeated over and over is the respected unique affiliation with the theme. Everything that happens on the fair grounds is a nod to authenticity with the culture. You are not going to find cheap, plastic toys, offensive T shirts, or deadbeat souvenirs at the Highland Games. Foods, games, sports, costumes, competitions are all hosted with quality and a dedication to detail. There is thematic flair along with specialized performance art and music. People genuinely are joyful at this event. There is socialization and camaraderie and healthy competition. Laughter is large and frequent.

Go to the Alaska Scottish Highland Games—Authenticity reigns with carefully chosen vendors and events, musicians, dancers, sports events and activities. Here are just a handful of the many cool events: shortbread competition, athletic games; Scotch tastings; Harp Twins; Haggis Eating Contest; Beard, Braids and Mustache Contest; Bagpipes and Kilts; Caber Toss; Tug of War; Scottish foods; Celtic dancing; Midnight Sun Spurtle Challenge; Mead Tasting; The Gathering of the Clans; genealogy workshops, piping, drumming, sport contests, races, rugby, kites, tea and shortbread, rogues, wenches and birds of prey. There are far too many details to include in this column so you should check out the official event guide (available on line) or printed copy. Put on your Palmer kilt and enjoy this excellent event.

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.. Contact at bhunt@mtaonline.net or text 907.315.3222.