Wasilla’s yearlong birthday bash gets started this weekend

WASILLA —The winning works of the two top finishers of Wasilla’s “Call to Artists” contests will help kick off the city’s year-long centennial celebration Saturday at the Menard Center.

Mat-Su residents Beth Libbey and Cheryl D. Lacy had their submissions chosen as tops in two categories by three different panel of judges. Lyn Carden, Wasilla deputy administrator, said late winter of 2016, the city asked for area artists in all media except for bronze and brass to submit their works that best depict Wasilla.

“The city wanted to commission a piece (of artwork) that was ours,” Carden said. “We’ve never commissioned an artist’s rendition and the centennial gave us a chance to do that.”

Carden said just short of a dozen entries were submitted, all paintings. The theme was simple: To commemorate the history of the city. Carden explained two finalists were chosen. One print, Lacy’s, was chosen as the Centennial Print, and Libbey’s the City Print. Carden said the centennial print is themed to coincide with how Wasilla looked back at the beginning of its history while the city print is a bit more modern, while still incorporating similar items.

“All the entries had the same things in their themes,” Carden said. “Train, the Teeland-Herning Building, the depot, flowers, tracks and cars.”

Three groups were asked to help narrow down the field and pick the winners. Carden said those included the five-member centennial committee, the city’s parks and recreation commission and the public at large. The city began asking for submissions last March and accepted them through late spring.

Carden said the centennial print will not only be utilized by the City of Wasilla throughout the year in all matters relating to any kind of advertising about the 100th birthday celebration, lithographs will be available for sale later this year, too. She said the city print will be used on official city letterhead, postcards, greeting cards and similar items. It will not replace the city’s official logo, which can only be accomplished through action from the city council.

Carden said with the limited funding available for the project, a main focus was to make sure the final selections connected with the city as a whole. The ladies’ work was unveiled shortly after they were chosen as the top two. Currently, both pieces are on display at the Wasilla Museum.

To help kick off the first of 12 monthly events the City of Wasilla has planned to celebrate 100 years of existence, both paintings will be on display this Saturday. That’s the kickoff of “Honoring our Past, Celebrating our Present and Igniting our Future”.

Saturday events include: a family free skate at the center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and a centennial bake-off competition starting at noon. There will be two age-group competitions—children 12 and under and those 13 years old and up. The two top finishers in each division will receive awards. Judging takes place at 12:30 and awards handed out at 1 p.m. Birthday cake will also be served.

A centennial ball and city families event is on the schedule from 7-10 p.m. Carden said it will include presentations, music and food. She said the evening will be a chance to socialize, discuss and share stories and she hoping photographs, about the city since its 1917 incorporation. It’s described as an evening of memories, good food, good music, good company and good times.

Next month’s event is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 11. Carden said cycling enthusiasts should mark their calendars for the planned Fat Tire Bike Tour. The 10 mile event will begin at the Menard Center and run to Lake Lucille and back. Carden said details will be announced as soon as possible and posted on the city’s website and Facebook pages, as well as the City of Wasilla app. She added that evening will also serve as the Mat-Su Food Bank’s main fundraiser for the year, “Hunger Vow.”