The Debut of the Strawberry Festival, ButteAthlon, and visitor, Chris Jamison

Palmer- The first annual Strawberry Festival at Pyrah’s Pioneer Peak Farm roused the attention of the Valley and even outside interest from Pittsburgh. For years, the farm has been hosting two other seasonal festivals: the Fall Harvest Festival and the Country Christmas Festival. Historically, the fall festival has been the largest success with a huge turn out. According to Dana Dinwiddie, general manger of Pyrah’s Pioneer Peak Farm, the fall festival has had attendance reaching up to 6,000 people across the state. Dinwiddie said that The Strawberry Festival has done pretty well for its debut. She said that there were a lot of families, a steady flow throughout the day and the “feedback was really positive.”

Both days had around 13 vendors selling various goods and services like homemade baby clothes, pottery and leatherwork. There were various rides for kids and parents alike. People rode tractors and jumped with bungee cords in a ride called Air Extreme. To combat calories from summer foods like hotdogs and watermelon, there was a 5K fun run around the farm.

On Saturday, around 60 racers took on the new ButteAthlon, a triathlon race involving running, hiking and biking. Racers began at the farm and ran 2.5 miles to the Butte, hiked up one side then down the other and ran back to farm, finishing by biking twice around Bodenburg Loop.

Local artists the Carhartt Brothers and Flintlock Special performed Friday, while the Tanana Rafters and Eslie King took the stage Saturday. There was a special musical appearance by Chris Jamison. Jamison was a third place finisher on the NBC’s TheVoice.

He has since risen in popularity nationwide. Jamison said that he enjoyed his experience on the show but after it was over and he got a record deal for a single, he didn’t feel like he had creative freedom for his music so he left the record without doing the song. After the show, he has been on the path of experimentation and self-discovery, trying to find his sound. That musical journey and his honeymoon led him up here.

He recently got married to his wife, Jansen and while looking for a honeymoon location he happened upon Dinwiddie’s email. She had been searching for musicians across the states to come up for the festival. She said that she was originally going to stick to local bands but her children incessantly went though their playlists and pleaded to ask for their favorite artists. She finally agreed and got a surprising amount return emails, but the costs were “not realistic.” Jamison replied and said, let’s make this work.” He and his wife had never been to Alaska and thought it would be a beautiful venture. They later found that to be truer than they expected.

“It’s so beautiful up here. I feel blessed to have opportunities like this. It’s amazing the places music can take you,” Jamison said.

Finding your own way without too many outside influences may hit home to our readers. In Jamison’s song the New Me, he described his departure from the conventional path of jumping through the hoops in the fast paced music industry and facing the unknown adventure of discovering his own way, his true love, and his very own voice:

“A life that is mine, not borrowed

The path that I wanna follow

The people that were always there for me

Reachin' out, helping me to succeed

And I don't know where it is I'm going

But I'm okay with never knowing

I finally found the missing puzzle piece

Now it's time to open the door

Say hello to the new me

I may be on my own

But at least I am free…”

The concert was modest in size but seemed more intimate than typical venues. There were giddy kids running around with Labrador puppies. There were lots of jokes and mutual laughs as he interacted with the audience. After his last song, he said, “okay, some one give me a puppy.”

He then mingled with the crowd. He then discussed with Dinwiddie on how they were getting to the airport. Jamison, Jansen and Sam reflected on the past few days’ activates with Dinwiddie, her kids, and the Pyrah family- it was apparent they made meaningful connections up here.

Jamison resides in Pittsburgh, which he said is slower than Los Angeles. He said he doesn’t like that lifestyle and that seems to be why he chose Alaska for a honeymoon- a slower, more rural place to get in touch with nature. Like many visitors, he marveled at the mountains, saying he hasn’t seen anything like it. The Pyrah Farmers took Jamison, his wife and “third wheel” Sam (an old friend who plays music, strumming guitar with Jamison) on ATV trips, horseback riding, and a few other Alaskan treats in their short time here. Jamison said he enjoyed his time up here and made many friends.

A new festival and a visiting musicians’ new path, both moving in seasons.