Palmer Alaska Buzz

Precious and Predictable Palmer Cows

If you drive regularly on the Old Glenn, you will predictably see the Snodgrass Hill cows, who live on the south side of the road. They are our local bovine friends. They are a living monument to Palmer’s agricultural roots and a pastoral reminder of the need for local food sustainability. This farm is probably the oldest, continuously working farm in the valley. The homestead was patented in 1907. These cows are greeted daily by vehicle passengers and walkers. Right now you can see this year’s new baby calves. It’s a strange thing but just driving by and waving to the dear cows—makes you feel reassured and generally better about life.

Big Sky Fun in Palmer

It was called the Great Alaska Aviation Gathering and was held all over Palmer this past weekend. It’s an annual event hosted by the Alaska Airman’s Association. There were planes and helicopters; there were kites of many sizes; there were hundreds of private planes, parked in the fairgrounds; there were rescue and forestry planes; there were old, historic planes and new planes; there were fancy planes and helicopters. There were demonstrations, safety and maintenance seminars, scholarships, raffles, show & shine, classes, pilot interviews, music, food trucks, tours and swag. There were cute little red trollies shuttling visitors all over Palmer to the exhibitors, downtown, campgrounds and the airport. Here’s a big thank you to New Horizon, Airframes, Palmer Municipal Airport, Alaska State Fair (and the many other contributors) for creating such a cool, community event.

Earthbound Fun in Palmer

Such a weekend it was! There was a Field and Track competition. Greenhouses were busting with visitors. Live music was rocking downtown. The golf course was open and sprinklers were running. Walkers and hikers were out in large numbers. The Museum garden already had a steady fan club. A shiny car show was at the MTA Events center. Palmer was showing up at the state music competition and brought home championship in ensemble and acapella. . Alaska Chicks Company opened their new store on Arctic. The Reuben Haus opened for summer at 203 Kombucha. The First Saturday Vendor Market at the Borough was cranking, along with several specialty food trucks. Children were taking their first bike rides in parking lots on bikes. Hundreds hiked the Butte. Trailheads were busy. Dogs were walking everywhere. The Musk Ox Farm and the Reindeer Farm received plenty of mother’s day love. And Palmer was winning at softball and baseball. The Palmer Arts Council convened and celebrated! It was a great weekend!

Wear Your Weekend Honor Scars Proudly

Many of us are sporting some sunburn and windburn from the fabulous weekend. Some gardeners and yard workers have impressive blisters to show. Brush scratches and skinned knees are badges of hikes and bike rides. Mosquito bites and muddy boots tell the true story of traipsing through the wetlands to see migratory birds. This was the First of Many Big Palmer Weekends

Plan on Palmer Festivities from now thru September

If you’ve looked at the Palmer Community Calendar, you will see that Palmer is jammed up with weekend summer events very consistently through late September. This is the way it is and it’s your own fun choice whether or not to participate. You probably won’t do all of it but there surely is a variety and something to your liking.

• This weekend is the Lion’s Club Gun Show, Alaska Vintage Market, and major Palmer Cleanup.

• Third Weekend is the “Stallions Of The North, Joy of Freedom Festival with bluegrass music, barbecue and beer tents, Academy Charter School Yard Sale and the Alaska Picker Auction.

• Fourth Weekend is the Extreme Bulls Rodeo.

Be Safe Palmer

Be kind and watch out for pedestrians, puppies and playing children.

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