PALMER BUZZ: Weekend of July 7, 2017

It’s the best time of the year in Palmer when all is deliciously cloaked in 50 shades of green and 18 hours of sunlight. Everyone is fishing or playing or hiking and life is very good. Palmer has a whole host of wonderful events this week and here are some “guaranteed to be good” suggestions:

A New Best Venue

The Musk Ox Farm, right up the Glenn, past Palmer Fishhook on the left and the Matanuska blow hole on the right, is the perfect venue for bands and dancing. Friday night a full crowd showed up to enjoy the Braided River band. This group of excellent musicians is a smart one and was tight and lively. The band has a loyal following and the venue is sweet, so a bit of rain mattered not to the crowd. The musk ox stood around and tapped their hooves.

And this Friday night at 8 p.m. is another big band at the Musk Ox Venue. A big bluegrass band, Barefoot Movement, takes off at 8 p.m.

This band has earned international acclaim and tours extensively. It’s nice that they’re coming to Palmer. Again, it is an all-weather, all-ages show. If it rains, just bring pretty umbrellas!

Palmer Rhubarb Rumble

This is a contest between Palmer eateries’ secret rhubarb recipes. It starts at 4 p.m. on lucky Friday, July 7, on the Palmer Museum’s lawn. This is free and delicious and other great locally produced products will also be offered for tastings.

Palmer Wine Walk.

If you missed the first one last year, don’t miss this one. Hundreds of happy people join up at the Museum and select their hand painted wine glass, custom created by the Valley Fine Arts Association. Then the crowd gently wanders around town, going from business to business, sampling various wines and clinking with others. It’s a pretty night and there will definitely be some all-stars in attendance. Last year the Governor and First Lady were part of the Palmer Wine-walkers and chances are good it will happen again this year.

Midsummer Annual Garden and Art Fair

is also this weekend. Saturday morning the white tents go up on the lovely green space in downtown Palmer—between the Library building and Borough building. Amazing artists, craftspeople, and vendors gather for this midsummer faire, along with great music, dancers and activities. Check the website for list of all the bands, courtesy of the main stage sponsor, Palmer City Alehouse. This really is the best little festival of the year because the magical small town aura including kite flying, juggling, and flower smelling. The food is good with various food trucks and vendors and with this event the sweet town of Palmer just pushes the limit on precious.

Annual Garage Sale at the Mat Su Animal Shelter

This goes on all Saturday and it is a great opportunity to help a good cause, pick up some good stuff, and go home with a puppy.

Beer Class

Saturday at 4 p.m. is the Arkose Brewery beer class—“Brewing 101 with Stephen Gerteisen.” Learning about beer and the brewing process is a good skill to have.

Free Sled Hockey

If summer is too hot for you, come into the ice arena and try some sled skating. This happens Sunday at 3 p.m. at the MTA Events Center. Try it! It’s like playing hockey while sitting on a sled.

Palmer Food Swap

is at the Annex on Saturday at 10 a.m. and “yum” is the secret password. Bring your homemade and homegrown food and produce and trade with others.

The great Mat Su Bike Route map is now available! Pick it up and explore. This cool little map is available at the Downtown Deli, Fireside Books, Backcountry Bike and Ski, Active Soles Performance Footwear, City Hall, MEA and the Palmer Chamber of Commerce office downtown.

Homemade Rhubarb Lemonade

Have a cold one, ready for you at Bushes Bunches Farm Stand on the Old Glenn highway.

Events

Airport construction; you have fights at Klondike Mikes, ball games at Hermon Brothers Field, tennis courts, ball fields, playgrounds, Mat River Park, Amoosement Park, riverbed, trails and hikes and bike routes.

Coming up is the Cow Couch contest in downtown Palmer at Country Cuts. Stan brought a cow up from the Lower 48 and we will have more details in next week’s column.

Barbara Hunt keeps the pulse on Palmer and shares highlights on the facebook Palmer Buzz group. She was a columnist for this paper for seven years, writing the popular Mat Su Mouth. Now she brings the buzz and other stories back to our great local newspaper for your enjoyment. If you have tips, please message her on Facebook.