Plenty to do in Palmer without snow

What is There To Do In Palmer?—This is a question that comes up periodically, about this time of year. Holidays and holy days are over. Winter is ever-present regardless of snow fall. Skiing and sledding are not great. It’s still dark a lot of the time. So it is not a surprise when this question comes up seasonally.

Here is The Activity List—It’s divided into sections. It is NOT (and never will be) complete but it is the best I can do after consulting a variety of sources. It would be great to know what is missing so it can be more comprehensive. I don’t have the column space to give all the details but a quick google search should locate your query and the specifics. Remember that this is a specialized interest list. The public libraries, churches, college, the farm, the fair, the bars, Senior Center, Lions, Rotary, and Kiwanis clubs have many offerings of their own. The local coffee shops and cooperative extension always have continual classes and shows or presentations so I have not included these.

Bunco happens around the valley with the once a moth MatSu Bunco Babes., Cribbage nights, Bridge, Darts, Karaoke and Trivia nights happen at the local bars and 203 Kombuchu. Sometimes there are Board Games too.

Knitters gather on Tuesdays at Vagabonds and at a few breweries or various bars periodically. There is a big fiber arts and quilting community in Palmer. Some meet on the first Thursday of the month at the Palmer Depot. Sewing, fiber arts, weaving, quilting, beading also are represented in Palmer. Check out the Art Cafe and Stitch N’ Time for more info on slow stitching, sewing, fibers, weaving, or spinning. Also check for info at Luna’s Magic Quilts

Valley Fiber Arts Guild, and Valley Quilters Guild.

Music is abundant in Palmer five open mics nights at either 203 Kombuchu, Klondike Mikes, Government Peak Rec Area, and AK Namaste. Palmer Ale House and Bleeding Heart Brewery have some excellent musical offerings and events. Karaoke is at the Legion, Dance is found in different bars including country, salsa, swing, Zumba, and line dancing classes.

Bookclubs are all over the place, some in neighborhoods and some associated with bookstores or library. All are great.

Yoga happens at Hatcher Pass Yoga, AK Namaste, and Midnight Sun. Beer and Goat yoga only happens in the summer. Jujitsu happens at Pioneer Grappling. Strength Training is available at most gyms.

Hiking is part of Revel Treks and Tours Hiking Adventure Club. Every Monday is the FunRun for all Palmer walkers and runners. It’s quite a community tradition and year round. It includes dogs, seniors, children. Mat Su Runners, Mat Su Ski Club, Back Country Bike and Ski and Aktive Soles have lots of information on these activities. Walking and Skating happens daily at the rink in the MTA Events Center.

History is celebrated on the third Monday of the month at the Palmer Moose Lodge with the Palmer Historical Society.

The Art Cafe in downtown Palmer is a wonderful maker’s place. There are dozens of weekly classes including stained glass, jewelry, ceramics, encaustic painting, . Two Art Associations, Valley Fine Arts Association and the Valley Arts Alliance offer various monthly opportunities to paint and sketch and weave and sculpt. Pastel society

The Palmer Curling Club is Wednesdays and Sundays.Outside Ice Fishing and the Indoor Palmer Shooting Range are destinations for some but both require planning in advance. T The

Palmer Soccer Club, Pickle-ball and Tennis in Palmer is seasonal sadly.

Musical clubs, Mat Su Community Chorus and Mat Su Kids Chorus info is available on Facebook. Percussion In The Valley, along with Wood & Wire offer many different types of music lessons, performances, and groups.

Live Theater has lots of offerings showing at the Glenn Massey Theater. Auditions are posted frequently and info is also available with the Valley Performing Arts. and the Palmer Arts Council.

Date Night Cooking Classes, and nutrition coaching is available with Winona Benson at Nourished Health. The Palmer Chess club meets Weekly at 203 Kombucha. The Palmer Table Tennis Group meets on Friday and Sundays. Mat Su Rock and Mineral Club meets at the American Legion on 3rd Tuesday.

Outside of Palmer in the Wasilla area is the AR Workshop, Valley Performing Arts, Ax throwing, Bowling Alley, Screaming Eagle Archery, Bingo Parlor, Extreme Fun Center, Cinema Complex, Knik Knack Mud Shack, Birch Grove Pottery and so many offerings at Black Birch Books including sign language and painting.

Finally Volunteering Is an act of Service to enrich our community. Consider the food bank, Bright Lights Book Project, library, Valley Recycling Center, animal shelter, Pioneer Home, or training on Tuesday evenings at the Central Mat Su Fire Department.

There are many groups and details missing from this list but consider this a head start on finding new activities to frequent in Palmer.

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