Wasilla extends Fourth of July fun

WASILLA — The wait is over!

Wasilla’s expanded Fourth of July celebration, called Summerfest, begins today at 4 p.m. and includes more than 15 amusement park rides, vendors and games, plus live music July 3 to 5 and July 8 to 12.

Admission and parking are free at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center in Wasilla. Wristbands for daylong use of Midway Carnival cost $30.

“We already have the biggest parade in the Valley. We wanted to see what else we could do and saw that Fairbanks and Kenai Peninsula were able to do a carnival,” said Mayor Bert Cottle.

A planned fireworks display has been canceled due to fire conditions, and as a show of solidarity with the neighbors in Willow still recovering from the Sockeye fire, Cottle said.

Friday, Alaska band “Denali Cooks,” led by “head chef” Larry Zarella, will perform from 9 to 11 p.m.

The Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce Parade — themed “Star Spangled Salute” — begins at 11 a.m., July 4.

Free hot dogs and refreshments will be served at the Mayor’s Picnic at the Iditapark and Honor Garden from 1 to 3 p.m. on the Fourth. “Against the Grain” also will perform.

“Colony Calypso” and “Fairbanks Cold Steel” will provide live music in the park from 3 to 5 p.m. “Broken Toyz” will play from 8:30 to 11 p.m.

Summerfest continues at the Menard center until 11 p.m. each night.

“We really wanted to expand the opportunity for people to do events here locally in Wasilla, and continue with the Fourth of July. …Usually we’d have to wait until the end of summer to go to the fair, but this is a nice way to kick it all off,” Cottle said.

For church-goers or late sleepers, Summerfest will open Sunday at noon. After a two day hiatus, Summerfest resumes at 4 p.m. July 8.

Supporting and booking local artists was important to the planning committee, the mayor said.

“It was important to us to find local bands and artists to perform,” Cottle said. “It’s local money, so we felt it should all be kept local.”

“Blue Voodoo” performs at the Menard Center from 8 to 11 p.m., July 10.

Summerfest is open noon to 11 p.m., July 11 and “Element47” will perform.

The first-time festival wraps up July 12 when the Midway is open from noon to 11 p.m.

A full schedule of events is online at bit.ly/1IgKMhA.

For more information, contact 357-9100, or visit cityofwasilla.com.