Under the lights

Frontiersman

The rain came down, but it couldn't dampen the enthusiasm of 7-year-old Tyler Downs, whose face was painted in two-tone Palmer blue and white. Downs had a bad case of Potato Bowl Fever Friday night, and he certainly wasn't alone.

One of the Valley's signature sporting events, the Potato Bowl, is as much about the action in the stands as it is on the gridiron. The annual Wasilla vs. Palmer game divides the Valley for an evening, and helps drive up the sales of body paint.

&#8220I wanted to do stripes, but this was easier,” Downs explained in reference to his blue left side and white right side of his face. &#8220When I'm old enough, I'm going to play in the Potato Bowl.”

At the Potato Bowl, there is no straddling the fence. If you live on one side of the Valley, you wear red. If you live on the other, you wear blue. Case closed.

Troy Gampenelli wore red Friday night, like he has for the last seven Potato Bowl games. The retired slope worker said he doesn't get to too many football games, especially later in the season when the cold gets to him, but he tries not to miss a Potato Bowl.

&#8220I like coming out and seeing all the old guys and talking and watching the game,” he said. &#8220I don't have any kids playing or anything, I just like to come and catch up with everyone.”

That's the true spirit of the Potato Bowl. Of course the game has playoff ramifications nearly every year, but to the people in the stands, it's another community event that you have to be at, regardless if your child is the starting linebacker in the game or not.

&#8220Oh yeah, we wouldn't miss this,” said Gary Greer, who was proudly wearing his Palmer sweatshirt Friday night. &#8220Any chance you get to beat Wasilla, that's a good time in my book.”

Contact Casey Ressler at

352-2265 or valleylife@

frontiersman.com.