Winter Parade in Palmer

It was a lightfest. A snowy carnival. A marathon of winter work. And definitely an event for the books. It started at 6pm on a snowy Saturday. People, cloaked tweens, cars, dogs and bundled happy children were lined up early. Some were doing dance moves to keep warm while they waited for the Palmer Colony Christmas Parade to start. Some were having snowball fights early on or sliding on the berms and drifts. Some were frozen long before the parade even started. But the parade began kinda on time and went on and on and on, much to the delight of the onlookers. Palmer parades are famous for their refreshing pauses, midstream. It allows you to catch your breath or make a sandwich.

What was in the Parade?—Everything you could possibly want. There was music and horses and bikes and old trucks. There were the flotilla of huge firetrucks, marchers, a plow, a boat, custom lit vehicles, gas delivery trucks, and flatbeds. Plastic blow up characters, including Snoopy and the Grinch, were in abundance. There were very few elves in the parade, but there was a plethora of Santas and angels and furry creatures. An ethereal blue-lit polar bear was magnificent. Nativity scenes were part in the parade along with clever variations of the Palmer Water Tower. Snow machines were on hand along with marching candy canes and reindeer and a glowing cabin.

The More Lights The Better—It didn’t matter what rig or float one was on, the more lights the better. Strings and nets of lights were draped over fenders and sidewalls. The beautiful horses (which were fabulous and well trained despite the normal chaos of a parade) wore lights from their saddles, on their tails and sometimes intricately woven through their manes.

The More Sounds, The Better—Horns and sirens and taped music and live music preceded and echoed nearly every entry in the parade.

Comparison—When you consider the joy and ease of a summer parade to a winter parade, it is phenomenal that this Palmer Colony Christmas parade was so great. Think about it. It snowed a lot the night before and was a steady snowfall on the day of the parade. There was plowing all day and shoveling and the snow just kept falling. Because this parade happens in the dark, all the lighting requirements are extreme for every float and entry and for all the safety of the many pedestrians lining the parade route. Then there is the cold and health factor which requires good winter gear and footwear. In comparison a summer parade (even in the rain) is a piece of cake compared to a winter parade. So good job Parade organizers and participants and helpers!

Excellent Festival—There was so much activity in Palmer this past weekend. All day events, organized activities, tractor rides, games, shopping and music. The parade started with the lighting of the Water Tower and ended with full-blown fireworks and the entire day was monitored by the Palmer police and safety helpers. It was a great festival and parade.

Holiday Stuff Continues This Week—This coming week has bunches of celebratory parties, receptions, and open houses. The Chanukah Menorah will continue its candle lighting on Main Street.

The Bright Lights Book Project is a wonderful organization dedicated to sharing books with everyone. There is an open house on Saturday afternoon, December 16, from 1-4pm. Of course there will be free books and refreshments but it is also an opportunity to learn about local authors, give appreciation to the current volunteers and learn to become a new volunteer for this excellent local book mission. The location is in the Eagle Hotel first floor room.

Jolabokaflod is Saturday and Sunday at 203 Kombucha. It is an annual, delightful two-day book and chocolate exchange event, back for it's 4th year at 203 Kombucha. “It is simple, bring a new or gently used book and new, unopened chocolate, and exchange for a book and chocolate of your choice. The culture of giving books as presents, on Christmas Eve, is deeply rooted in the Icelandic tradition, and now, Palmer as well. Jolabokaflod means "Christmas book flood", The tables will be "seeded" with new books complements of Fireside Bookstore and also recycled books from the Rescued Books Bookstore at VCRS.

Barbara Hunt is both Palmer writer and artist. She works hard to keep the robust pulse of Palmer, Alaska. She shares the good stuff in the weekly Palmer Alaska Buzz Column in the Mat Su Valley Frontiersman newspaper and daily on the Palmer Alaska Buzz Facebook Group. Contact at bhunt@mtaonline.net or text 907.315.3222