Palmer Friday Flings are back!

I love the new location of our radio station, KVRF Radio Free Palmer — right next to Fireside books, smack in the middle of downtown Palmer. It doesn’t get much better than that.

But I was looking out the glass door in the general direction of the visitor center last week during my Thursday stint manning the station. A sign at the intersection nearby said, “Friday Fling May 22.”

“What?” I thought. “It’s that time of the year again? Whoo hoo!”

And I broke into a happy dance.

Then I thought, “Whoa! Stop! People will freak out seeing a 50-plus-year-old man dancing a jig.” So I decided to do it in my head instead. Dancing for joy in spirit. Why you ask? What is so special about this Friday Fling thing? Well I’ll tell you (and please feel free to tell your friends and neighbors and, most of all, all those friends from down south playing tourist up here).

For those not in the know, Friday Flings is a weekly gathering of Alaska’s finest across the street from the Palmer Visitor Center — basically the town square, so to speak. That’s every Friday until September. Arts and crafts mix with delights from the garden.

The honey lady will be there with her sweet-tasting wares. The smell of kettle corn floats on the breeze, joining the savory scent of Husky burgers and fries to entice the taste buds.

Craftsmen and women show off their handmade products to the public. Items from leather works and wooden toys to tie dye clothing and hiking poles can be found.

There is more, like the Tundra comics booth and great live music. And this year maybe a few local movie stars of Chad Carpenter’s “Moose the Movie” fame will mingle with their adoring fans.

OK, that is laying it on a little thick, isn’t it? But then again, I have friends that were in the locally produced horror movie spoof that is putting our little slice of heaven on the map. (Come to think of it, I believe everybody knew somebody in that flick.) So what the heck, I’m going to be loud and proud.

Now, if that doesn’t get your blood pumping just a little bit, then I am speaking to the dead. I love the fling because it is so alive with people, food, music and a great Alaska groove that can’t be beat. That groove has been getting better and better every year.

I guess you can call me a grade A, die-hard “Flinger.” Just say it with a smile.

Really, I do admit to being a major fan of the fling, and I have written about it for several years now. Why not? I find the Friday Fling showcases the best Alaska has to offer to both locals and tourists alike. Life in smalltown Alaska is alive and thriving — the fling is living proof.

So come on down during a Friday afternoon. Bike, hike, drive or even ride a long board into town — follow your nose and ears. They won’t steer you wrong.

Come to the center of Palmer and check out just what is cooking on the grill and who is playing onstage. Grab some food and something to drink, relax on the grass or at a table, under the gaze of the mountains, as the music plays on.

Get down to the Friday Fling groove where living is good. Ya can’t go wrong with that!

Wasilla resident Daniel D. Grota retired from the U.S. Army after more than 21 years of service.`