REINDEER GAMES

PALMER — The reason Santa checks his list twice is to make sure he doesn’t forget to put Colony Christmas at the top of his holiday tally.

Music, games, crafts, hot food, sleigh and pony rides, petting reindeer and a quick sit on the Jolly Old Elf’s lap are a handful of events that draws hundreds to downtown Palmer every December. On Saturday, visitors especially enjoyed the free events for kids and some games that aren’t reserved for only reindeer.

Joyce McNiven of Palmer was hustling across the square in front of the Palmer Depot with her daughter Emily, 10, and Emily’s 8-year-old friend, Dakota Antrim. The trio was searching for a fourth for the popular smoosh race. Smooshing is where a team of four people is strapped to a pair of extra long boards and they have to work together to move forward. The McNivens placed second in the race last year.

“We haven’t found our fourth yet,” Joyce said. “It was my oldest daughter last year, but she’s pregnant, so we have to find somebody else this year.”

Smooshing aside, Colony Christmas is a festival they look forward to, she said.

“It breaks up the winter and is a little bit of fun and gives us the Christmas spirit,” Joyce said.

Emily was confident in her team’s chances before the race.

“We took second prize last year, and we just have to stay together,” she said.

There wasn’t a particular favorite thing to do for Dakota, who likes everything about Colony Christmas.

“Yeah, it’s my favorite time of year,” she said, adding she knows what she wants Santa to stuff in her stocking. “I want a phone for Christmas. Why? I don’t know. If I had one, I’d text my friends.”

Electronics are also topping Emily’s list.

“I’m asking for, like, one of those Nook color things, like the thing that you read the book with,” she said, describing and e-reader device.

Warming up before the smoosh races were participants in the snowshoe obstacle course, where people — mostly kids — tried to run the course wearing snowshoes. Obstacles included hopscotch, hula-hoops and kicking balloons through a goal.

Inside the Palmer Depot, those looking for a little refuge from the icy wind found hot chocolate, chili and a diverse sale from local crafters.

They also were treated to an a cappella performance by Backbeat Street, an award-winning quartet. While the singers — Karen Leet of Palmer, Kathy Laymon of Eagle River, and Cheryl Cullen and Carol Bailey of Anchorage — perform year-round, they said the Christmas season is one of their favorites.

“I just like bringing the spirit of Christmas to people, seeing their faces as we’re singing,” Bailey said.

“It’s just a family atmosphere,” added Leet. “It’s fun, it’s outside and there’s tons of things to do.”

Bailey is also OK with a new nickname she earned at Colony Christmas: “Yes, I am the caroling Carol.”

Even old Ebenezer would have had a hard time maintaining a scowl on Saturday. Just ask Jennifer Knight.

“I’m in the Christmas spirit more this year than in my entire life,” she said. “I have no idea why. I smelled the fresh Christmas trees at Lowe’s, and just from that smell I smiled, and for the first time ever I’m listening to Christmas music.”

“She’s a Christmas convert,” chimed in husband Jon Knight, himself sporting bright pink polka dots through his salt-and-pepper beard and head. The dots were put there by the Denali Destroyer Dolls roller derby team.

“He didn’t need any convincing” to get the paint, Jennifer joked. “He’s an easy target.”

For 4-year-old Jeremiah Gill, this year’s Colony Christmas ended a yearlong wait.

“We just got done with the horse sleigh ride that he’s been waiting a year for,” said grandmother Cheryl Bartlett. “Jeremiah has been waiting since last year to ride that, because we missed it by five people last year. I didn’t know about Colony Christmas (then), but I do now, so we got here early. We’re having a great time. Horse rides, ice cream, we’re going to have some chili, then we’re going back out. I have our list.”

And yes, she said that list was checked more than twice.

Contact Greg Johnson at greg.johnson@frontiersman.com or 352-2269.