Wonderland Fest lures crowd

Aug. 14, 2005

DAWN DE BUSK\Frontiersman reporter

WASILLA -- Most of the crowd concentrated on the basketball courts, watching or participating in the 3-on-3 basketball tournament during Saturday's Wonderland Festival 2005, but some people had other reasons for showing up to the community event held at Iditapark in Wasilla.

Nine-year-old Thomas Larm of Wasilla stood in line several times for an opportunity to throw balls at the dunk tank.

"I came here 'cause I want to have fun," Thomas said.

Chugiak resident William Cameron won a chance from KFAT radio to make a half-court shot and take home a $2,000 prize. That event was still four hours away, after the free barbecue at 3 p.m. In the meantime, he discovered some shade on a rock, where he sat with his wife, Rhonda, and their 14-month-old daughter, Roslyn.

"I could use the $2,000 to go moose hunting," Cameron said. "But either way, I am going."

In the parking area, a man pulled in and asked one of the volunteers if he missed the car audio competition; which was the main reason he showed up.

The Wonderland Festival took place in 2001 and 2002, but members of the Wasilla Assembly of God Church decided to wait a few years to create something that would gather momentum and a bigger crowd, according to coordinator Nathan Lopez.

"We wanted something that provided a safe atmosphere for the community, for all ages," Lopez said.

During the 3-on-3 tourney, 16 teams played in the 17-years-and-up division, while seven teams went head to head in the 12 - 16 age group.

Later in the afternoon, a whole lot of noise erupted from the Iditapark as vehicle owners competed to see whose stereo bass boasted the most volume. The church has to apply for a permit with the city prior to this event, organizer Buster Barlow, 30, of Wasilla, said.

"You'll have a chance to legally turn your stereo as loud as you want it," he said.

A microphone inside the vehicle measures the decibels. Some of the stereo systems could hit 150 decibels, a sound that is louder than a jet, Barlow said.

Those who preferred more toothsome pastimes stayed near Paul Bossar, 42, of Wasilla, who barbecued 2,000 burgers and 1,000 hot dogs.

Bossar said he thought the event embraces the reasons he is a Christian -- being involved in the community and taking God outside of the church.

"If you look at the life of Jesus, he went to where the people were; he didn't just stay in the church building. That's why we're here."

Contact Dawn De Busk at 352-2252, or dawn.debusk@frontiersman.com.