Thousands pack downtown Palmer for Colony Days

PALMER — Leave it to the Kiwanis Club of Palmer to prove the theory that people will cheer any old crap put in front of them.

At least the rule proved true Saturday, as dozens of people gathered for the annual Kiwanis Moose Poop Palooza, where shellacked and numbered moose nuggets are dropped from a fire truck ladder onto a target.

The Poop Palooza was one of dozens of events that packed downtown Palmer for the city’s annual Colony Days festival. Essentially the Valley’s largest barbecue, the smell of grilling burgers was prevalent throughout downtown as locals and visitors enjoyed the 70-degree weather. Kids games, the annual Colony Days Parade and a smattering of live entertainment added to the atmosphere that brought thousands to Palmer Saturday.

At the afternoon poop drop on the grounds of St. John Lutheran Church, those who bought tickets at $20 a pop were hopeful and light-hearted waiting for the drop. That’s because whoever has the ticket corresponding to the moose nugget closest to the center has the choice of a new Polaris Sportsman 400 four-wheeler, or $5,000 cash.

Asked before the drop what seemed to be the popular choice, Kiwanis vice-president Carolyn Purer said that’s an easy question to answer.

“They’ll take the four-wheeler, 99.9 percent,” she said. “Now, if somebody from Outside wins it, we don’t ship it, so they’re going to have to take the $5,000.”

Kiwanis only prints 1,000 tickets and along with an annual golf tournament, the drop is one of the group’s major fundraisers of the year, Purser said.

As Steve Brown waited for the drop, he revealed a secret weapon he hoped would bring fortune his way — he kissed his nugget, No. 629.

“This is the real deal,” he said. “It’s for good luck. If it doesn’t win? Well, it better win, because (the four-wheeler) already has my name engraved on it.”

The kiss may be key for Brown, but another had another system he hoped would bring him luck — his birthday.

Reese McKinney was walking by and saw the next ticket for sale was No. 648.

“I was born 6/23/48, so that was staring right at me,” McKinney said. “I think it’s a lucky ticket, the month I was born and the year.”

Asked whether he’d choose the four-wheeler or the cash, McKinney said, “I need both.”

He also wouldn’t go to the length Brown did to secure a win.

“We’ll, they’re all dried out and I got nothing against kissing them really,” he said. “But nah, I wouldn’t.”

As Palmer Fire Department firefighter Oral Scott prepared to release hundreds of numbered pellets, all eyes were on the target about 30 feet below.

And the winner?

No. 433, purchased by Bob Ylvisaker, stuck dead center of the target, a clean bullseye. Apparently, moose poop doesn’t pay much attention to birthdays or kisses.

Contact Greg Johnson at 352-2269 or

greg.johnson@frontiersman.com.

What: Colony Days continues

Where: Downtown Palmer

When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., today

Events: Bill Mitchell 5-K Fun Run, kids games, birdhouse painting, open market, food court, live entertainment and Mat-Su Minters baseball opening day