'Nose Week' in Palmer Alaska

That’s right, this is “nose week.” This is the one of our biggest nose opportunities all year. Why is it nose week? Well, because your nose gets the chance to smell the most fragrant of flowers, lilacs, which are finally blooming. You can catch this delicious aroma all around Palmer and it is such a treat.

Welcome to Lilac Town—Every year the Palmer lilacs are better than ever. There are thirty foot tall lilac trees, which are probably older than dirt. There are the young, slender Miss Kim lilacs shaped like a manicured topiary. There are white lilacs, pale purple, violet, lavender, fuchsia, magenta, dark pink, and even some blue ones. There are tinker-belles and tiny dancers lilacs. The aroma is intense and heady. It is the old world lilac fragrance, which although fleeting and short-lived, stays with us.

The whole town of Palmer is on full lilac display/alert right now. Take a walk down any neighborhood street and you can capture this moment to revive your senses. However, be careful. I instinctively like to plunge my nose into the blossoms. But the bees live in there too.

Alaska Scottish Highland Games—This weekend Palmer’s Alaska State Fairgrounds comes to life in plaids, kilts and bagpipes. It is the Alaska Scottish Highland Games! If you have not attended this, you should. There is so much to see and do. Crazy, heavy athletic contests are wonderful to watch. Celtic dancing is joyful and lively. There is the Kilted Mile Race! There is Scotch Whiskey and Mead Tastings. There are sometime skilled sheepdogs and kites. There is a Tea Tent! There is drumming!!!! There is Jade, the remarkable, shaggy cow, also known as the Highland Coo along with Baby Fergus. There’s Pipe Band competitions, Celtic Marketplace, tug of war, historical demonstrations, wishing well, tall tales, eating contests, Chef cooking demonstrations, children’s activities, blacksmith demonstrations, juggling, fire circus, British sports cars, axe throwing, salmon tossing, vendors, food trucks, farmer’s walk event, Eskimo Stick Pull, Rogues and Wenches, and lots of music, including the Harp twins. This is a clan gathering and 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. This is such a great event in Palmer; do not miss it.

Boozy Book Fair—This is a first time event. It is a book-fair at Palmer Colony Farm, Moonstone Farms. This book fair is for grown-ups because while you wander and select books you have an opportunity to indulge in Alaska brewed beers, wines, ciders and spirits. There is an authentic railcar licensed pub “tasting room” on the farm. And Palmer’s favorite Fireside Bookstore is providing so many great new titles. In addition to the variety of drinks and food offerings will be some author signings and readings. And on top of all of this is your opportunity to visit and wander on one of the most beautiful original farms in the region. Say hello to the carrots! This boozy book-fair is from 2-8pm on Saturday, June 24th at Moonstone Farms in Palmer.

Oh Solstice Love—This is the apogee! The pinnacle!! The climax!! It’s our “bright light time” with all the vigor and nourishment possible. The over-abundance of sunlight soaks deep into our pores and saturates our soul, so that we can withstand the shortness of winter light. It’s important to pay attention to the extroverted energy force which comes with the sun. Save it up for the dark time. And go ahead and weed—at midnight in your pajamas. It’s part of our joy.

Barbara Hunt is both Palmer writer and artist. She works hard to keep the robust pulse of Palmer, Alaska. She shares the good stuff on the weekly Palmer Alaska Buzz 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