Rebel Riders open fairgrounds’ concession stand, receive key to the city

PALMER — Friday night, the Rebel Riders participated in a schooling show, cut the ribbon to their new stand, and even received the key to the city from Palmer mayor, Edna DeVries — all within the France Equestrian Center at the Alaska State Fairgrounds. The Rebel Riders are a 4-H youth program that teaches children essential equestrian skills, such as horse maintenance, showmanship, and many more life skills on and off the field.

The schooling show was an opportunity for the kids to test their horse skills and learn new ones with live instruction. The Riders participated with other youth groups, including another 4-H group called Stars and Strides, and other groups not associated with 4-H, called the Alpine Glow Pony Club. All of the children received lessons as they rode along and even got notes from judges after their performances.

After the show, the children gathered with their parents, 4-H members, Corine Hickey, leader of the Rebel Riders and president of the 4-H Horse Council for the Mat-Su Copper River District, Michelle Sturgeon, secretary of the 4-H Horse Council for the Mat-Su Copper River District, Tina Rodriguez, treasurer for 4-H and chef for the Rider’s stand, and Jesse Stubblefield, Farm and Equine Manager for the Alaska State Fair.

Everyone sat at tables near their newly acquired stand called, ‘The Rebel Rider’s Round Up’. The stand will serve as a fundraising post for the Riders. All of the profits go directly to the children’s education. Both children and parents will be operating the stand. The stand had a soft opening on Mothers Day and reportedly did very well that day. The menu offers classic fair foods like burgers and pretzels but also offers “healthy alternatives” like vegetables and hummus. The stand strives to serve natural ingredients.

“As much as they can, they do homegrown, Alaska grown,” Stubblefield said.

According to Rodriguez, the food sold is of high quality and has some of the lowest prices compared to other stands at the fair. Meals are made fresh the day of, like the donuts, which are said to disappear within minutes of opening. Rodriguez also noted how beneficial the experience is for the kids. The fast-paced work at the stand offers hands-on life lessons each day as kids learn practical skills like handling cash, customer service and book keeping. “We learn by doing in 4-H,” Rodriguez said.

“The kids and parents have really stepped up. 5 or 6 of the parents got their food handling cards.” Stubblefield said.

There was a lot of energy and laughter as kids ran around and parents joked around with each other. The parents are directly involved with programs, lending their time and resources in a shared network of support, which is expected right from the enrollment.

After eating, the children lined up at the stand behind the bright blue ribbon. With scissors in hand, all of the kids excitedly cut the blue ribbon. Stubblefield made heartfelt speech commending all the hard work from the kids, parents, and 4-H.

“This is the best partnership I’ve ever done,” he said.

After the ribbon cutting, Palmer mayor Edna DeVries surprised the children with her appearance. She handed the kids a shiny, golden key with her city’s insignia. This was met with great excitement. She reflected on her time in 4-H and congratulated the children for all their hard work. She stuck around to chat warmly with the kids then left.

“It’s a great experience for them. It’s fun to see them in there (in the stand) chatting and working,” said Angela Vassar, 4-H member and parent.

Emily Mooty, a 15-year-old team leader for the Riders designed the logo for the Stand, featuring a blue, cartoon horse lassoing snacks that was used for their hats.

“I never fit in anywhere else,” Mooty said. “It’s a really good place. I fit in here. I love them.”

The Rebel Riders has been a means for the kids to make new friends as they develop life skills. They all appeared to be very disciplined and helpful while still managing to be silly like any other kid. That balance between work and play has always been a staple of Rebel Riders and 4-H.

“These kid really are the best. We accept the best and make them better, that’s the 4-H motto.” Sturgeon said.