Second annual Mat-Su Summer Fest runs all weekend at Alaska Raceway Park

WASILLA— Alaska Raceway Park is hosting their second annual Mat-Su Summer Fest, a full weekend of vendors, food trucks, carnival rides, games, and live music.

“It’s like a variety of everything,” Alaska Raceway Park owner and race director Michelle Lackey Maynor said.

The 2021 summer marked a new milestone for Alaska Raceway when A-1 Midway carnival rides and attractions were introduced to the grounds for the first time. Attractions will be available on weekends and during events at the park throughout the season, including the upcoming Summer Fest. Lackey Maynor noted that they also feature several beverages from local breweries during events and activities.

Several local bands will be performing at Mat-Su Summer Fest, including H3.

“It’s a really good lineup... It’s just a bunch of fun bands,” Lackey Maynor said.

Overnight camping will also be available for people attending Summer Fest. Lackey Maynor said this adds to the overall experience. She said this reflects their ongoing commitment to creating an all-in-one summer destination for families visiting Alaska Raceway.

“That’s kind of what we’re going for, to try to be an all-inclusive space for people,” Lackey Maynor said.

Mat-Su Summer Fest was created directly as an answer to the pandemic as a way of brings the community together, becoming a new annual tradition for the grounds, according to Lackey Maynor. She said it was encouraging to have so much participation to help put on this year’s Summer Fest, competing with countless other venues over a particularly eventful weekend.

“There’s other events that are going on this weekend that are kind of big events going on across the state. It’s been really exciting to have all the different people calling up,” Lackey Maynor said. “Getting into year two, things are definitely smoother. We learned a lot from last year. We’re looking forward to seeing how this year goes as well.”

According to Lackey Maynor, the 2021 race season has gone fairly well in spite of some unfavorable weather conditions at times. She said that she’s encouraged by the overall participation and their continued growth as an organization.

“The car counts are up in all of our classes, that’s on both sides of the track, which has been great. We’ve had a lot of stand participation and a lot of new people coming out, which has been pretty exciting... The feedback that I’ve gotten from everybody has been really positive,” Lackey Maynor said.

After Summer Fest, racers and race fans can come back for Independence Day for a full weekend of race events, carnival rides, pit camping, and patriotic tributes to the U.S. military.

“It’s always a really big event. It’s probably one of the biggest of the season. We get racers from all over the state that come down here for that weekend,” Lackey Maynor said. “We’re about halfway through already, which is kind of weird to think of that already.”

Alaska Raceway recently took third place in the NASCAR Advance My Track Challenge, winning $10,000 that they were able to use to place a new wheelchair-accessible entrance from the entrance to the stands. Lackey Maynor said they plan to unveil a new playground during the Fourth of July weekend.

“The coolest thing is… a miniature flag stand for the kids. So, they’ll be able to get up there and pretend to be a flagger,” Lackey Maynor said. “The rest is just fun stuff the kids get to hang out with.”

Friday opens at noon and runs until 9, Saturday is 10 until 9 and Sunday 10 until 5. Admission is just $7 and weekend bands and camping are available. For more information check out matsusummerfest.com.

For more information about the Alaska Raceway Park, visit raceak.com.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com