Palmer seasonal change

Can you feel it? We are now in August and it feels “augusty.” We finally have a few stars at night now. It’s chilly in the evenings. Rainbows and dragonflies are prolific. Bats are back. Peonies and baseball have been put to bed. Dahlias and football are up front. Purple and gold sunflowers are starting to stand tall. No-see-ums hover incessently above the wet, tall grasses. School supplies are on sale at the stores. Young Sandhill Cranes are graduating from flight school, in order to participate in the big flight south. An occasional yellow leaf is spotted on the ground. Gardens are bountiful, including the beautiful Palmer Community gardens. Vegetable stands are frequent. Dramatic pink sunrises are clocking in at 5:35 AM. It’s raincoat and sweater weather. People are canning and freezing and smoking their harvests. Berries are bursting. It is that beautiful time of Alaska Abundance in August.

Klondike Mike’s Saloon—There is a new sign in town for Klondike Mike’s Saloon. It kinda resembles an older sign, but it is a graphically clear welcome on Main Street. Klondike’s has had an interesting jagged metal sign hanging on the front of the building for quite some time. It was artistic and unusual but fairly unreadable. Well, with the new sign, we, including new folks, will know where Klondike Mike’s Saloon is located. And that’s good. It’s a fine establishment in the Palmer Bar block. They have fun music, lots of space, a patio, and good food. The bartenders are good. And now people will be able to find it because of the new and clear signage!

Exciting Exhibit Entry Days begin this Friday and Saturday—This is an urgent reminder that Alaska State Fair Exhibit Entry for non-perishables is this Friday or Saturday (August 5 and 6)—between 11 and 7pm. This date also applies to those wanting to exhibit any of the Recycled Yard Art Special Contest!

Here’s How You Do It—Fair entry is easy and free. Do not be scared of the process; I will walk you through it right here: There are dozens of categories and all the information is on the website alaskastatefair.org. For this week, you need to enter only your Non-Perishables. This can include the divisions of art, canning, clay arts, fiber and fleece, flowers, handwork and needlework, photography, spirited beverages, sewing, quilts, creative arts, crafts & woodworking. Go to the Competitive Exhibits General Information and Guide and select your specific division, within each category. Pay attention to the guidelines. Now, package up your entry, put it in your vehicle, and travel very carefully to the Alaska State Fair Grounds. (I always put a seatbelt around my exhibit because I don’t want it flying off the seat, if I have to stop quickly.) Park near the designated building and bring it inside. There will be many friendly volunteers or staff to accept your entry. If this is a first time, you will receive a lifetime number for all your entries. You will fill out a small bit of paperwork. They you leave and wait anxiously for the Alaska State Fair to begin on August 19th. In the interim, your personal exhibit will be cared for, handled carefully and judged appropriately. It will be placed on display for you and a few hundred thousand people to see and admire.

This is really one of the best memories and events of Palmer’s Alaska State Fair. Give it a whirl this year. Let’s see what you’ve made and share it with everyone. There are adult and junior and child categories along with very professional categories; all are judged separately so you don’t have to worry about competing with an expert. Don’t forget…if you are entering any of the above-listed non-perishable exhibits, then this is the weekend of entry.

Barbara Hunt is both Palmer writer and artist. She works hard to keep the robust pulse of Palmer, Alaska. She shares the good stuff on the weekly Palmer Alaska Buzz in the Mat Su Valley Frontiersman and daily on the Palmer Alaska Buzz Facebook Group. Email bhunt@mtaonline.net or text at 907.315.3222