Palmer Museum passes Midsummer Garden and Art Faire to Chamber of Commerce, 13th annual set for Saturday

WASILLA — The 13th annual Midsummer Garden and Art Faire is scheduled for Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Palmer Museum of History and Art passed the iconic, downtown event to the Greater Palmer Chamber of Commerce this year. According to Ailis Vann, executive director of the chamber, the plan is to keep the event true to its roots moving forward, even with current social distancing measures in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Outdoor events are pretty safe as long as you can avoid dense congregation,” Vann said.

The faire will take place at its usual spot between the Palmer Library and the Mat-Su Borough building. The museum is holding a wine sipping event the same day as the faire.

Vann said the event is smaller this year, with about 50 participating vendors and live music planned throughout the day. There will also be points of interest like pony tides and giant kites (weather permitting).

“We have a really good variety of vendors and we’ve got good music lined up. It should be a good day,” Vann said.

The faire is known for its overall celebration for local artists and gardaners, showcasing the toils of their efforts at each booth. Skill building community workshops have been a staple component to this event over the years and will be missed this year to ensure proper social distancing according to Vann.

“A piece of it is missing... but we can’t take any chances,” Vann said.

Vann said they plan to bring workshops back for a full fledged Garden and Art Faire experience back next year. For the meantime, Valley residents still have the chance to mingle with their neighbors and browse through a spectrum of locally grown plants, handcrafted jewelry, paintings and other artistic visions come to life.

For more information, call 907-745-2880 or visit palmerchamber.org.

“It’s another opportunity for people to come and be outside,” Vann said.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com