Second-annual Government Peak Music Festival set July 29

WASILLA — The “sophomore set” for most musicians after a first album can often be a defining moment for a career. The same can oftentimes be said for music festivals, which seek to push an entertainment wave to new heights year after year.

Organizers of the Government Peak Music Festival, set for July 29, think they have a formula to ride that wave.

With a new food, beer and music lineup along with a free shuttle service to the event, the 2017 festival is looking to build on last year’s inaugural success, said Chris Jones, vice chairman of the board of the Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation, which is hosting the event as a fundraiser.

Things kick off at 3 p.m. at the Government Peak Recreation Area chalet and its surrounding grounds, located 10690 N. Mountain Trails Dr. in Palmer, off Edgerton Parks Road. Both the beer garden and music are slated to run from 4-10 p.m.

“Everything went so well last year and it was so well received, that planning this year’s event was fun,” Jones said. “We had a template to work from this year and are really looking forward to another successful festival.”

The music headliner for 2017 is the Hope Social Club, a group fronted by longtime Alaskan singer-songwriter Melissa Mitchell. Fresh off a new album release, they will follow another Alaskan mainstay, Big Fat Buddha, as well as Tim Easton and Junior. Easton, a nationally-touring artist, is a perennial favorite at the annual Salmonfest music festival in Ninilchik.

The food truck offering also has changed up a bit, with Barbecue Babes, Pho Nora, Spruce Tip Café, Oh My Goodness Sammies and Pies, Jimbo’s Food Bus and Bruins rounding out this year’s lineup. Local craft brewers Arkose Brewing and Bearpaw River will supply the beer garden this year, Jones said.

Tickets for the event are $40, with beer garden tickets set at $6 apiece or four for $20. Like last year, festival-goers are encouraged to bring their own reusable, (no plastic or glass) beer pint, or a commemorative stainless steel pint can be purchased at the festival for $10. No outside food or drinks will be allowed into the festival, and the event also is pet free, according to organizers.

With limited parking at the chalet, those attending the festival are being asked to carpool, or take advantage of a free shuttle service from the Hatcher Alpine Xperience parking lot at Mile 10.7 of Palmer-Fishhook Road.

Jones said the popular kids’ activities will begin at 3 p.m. with a concert by Fiddle Dee Dee. Other kid-centric events include Yoga for Kids with Midnight Sun Yoga and face painting with Original Doodle Body Art.

Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation executive director Stuart Leidner said Friday that while the 2016 event was a good way to introduce a broader slice of Valley residents to the foundation’s work, this year’s goal is to expand on that introduction.

Established in 2011, the nonprofit funds and supports trails and parks in the Mat-Su Borough for a range of user groups, and has provided more than $300,000 in grants since its inception.

“This year we plan on having more displays inside the chalet to give folks a better idea of some of the specific projects that we support,” Leidner said.

“Plus, look at that music, food and beer lineup,” he added. “It’s going to be a great festival.”

July 29 event tickets are available online for $40 (plus online ticketing fee) though Mat-Su Trails at matsutrailsmusicfestival.brownpapertickets.com, and will be available locally in Palmer at Lavender, Active Soles and Arkose Brewery. They also can be picked up in the Mat-Su Trails office, which recently moved to Suite 215 in Palmer’s Koslosky Center.

For more information, visit matsutrails.org or call 746-8757.

Contact reporter Steven Merritt at 352-2269 or steven.merritt@frontiersman.com