Palmer Public Library's float tops at Colony Days

With elaborate costumes and faces painted, the Palmer MOMS Club and the Palmer Public Library took first place in the Colony Days Parade float contest. The library received $150 for taking top honors.

The Palmer Senior Citizens Center took second place. Seniors on the float dressed up in formal wear and waved to the parade viewers. They garnered $100 for their effort. Finishing third was the Palmer High School Class of 1983. The 20-year reunion included a float in the parade and plenty of red, white and blue flag-waving people. Third place was good for $50.

In the individual categories, winners took home ribbons. In the business category, Budget Feed and Seed took first place, followed by Matanuska Telephone Association and then Capitol Speedway.

In the political category, Vic Kohring took first place because he was out shaking hands and handing out flyers. Charlie Fannon, candidate for Mat-Su Borough mayor, took second place while riding in a BMW. Sherry Pinckley-Trbovenich, candidate for borough assembly, rounded out the category. The Palmer Fire Department was judged the best public safety entry, followed by the Butte Fire Department and then the Mat-Su Borough's entry. Wiener dogs were key in the parade -- the Hot Dogs on Parade entry was tops in the family/children/pets category, followed by Palmer Little League and the Hemmer family reunion float.

The Antique Power Club was the top entry in the vehicle category, with the Antique Motor Mushers of Alaska taking second place and the Valley Cruzers taking third.

In the fraternal/royalty category, Boy Scouts Troop 54 won, followed by the Knights of Columbus and the Alaska National Pageant. The Lazy Mountain Riders 4-H took top honors in the agriculture/animals category, followed by Paso Fino and the Alaska Dairy Goats Association.

The Borealis Dancers were tops in the music category, with Mat-Su Marching Band and the PHS Dance Team second and third, respectively. Mat-Su Crimestoppers had the best entry in the community service category, followed by the Palmer Lions and the Mat-Su Miners.

In the theme category, New Beginnings edged the PHS Cheerleaders and Mat-Su College for top honors.