First-of-its-kind ice concert in Palmer draws crowd, supports local journalism
About 300 people attended the event Saturday.
PALMER — A first-of-its-kind concert on ice brought music, community and journalism together in Palmer on Saturday, raising about $4,000 for the Mat-Su Sentinel while drawing a crowd of roughly 300 attendees.
The Mat-Su Sentinel Icebreaker, held at the Palmer ice rink, combined live music from local favorite The Super Saturated Sugar Strings with open skating in a format organizers said was the first of its kind at the venue.
The event featured three hours of live music, with attendees skating, dancing or watching from an ice-free floor set up near the band. The band even joined skaters for several songs, singing and playing their instruments — including a large bass balanced on a custom skate shoe — while moving around the ice.
More than 200 tickets were sold in advance, with nearly 100 more purchased at the door, signaling strong community interest in the event. Final attendance totals are still being confirmed.
“This was an experiment — and it worked,” Mat-Su Sentinel founder Amy Bushatz said. “It brought people together in a new way while directly supporting local nonprofit journalism.”
The night included a range of highlights beyond the music. Cups of donated Big Dipper Ice Cream were handed out early in the evening, while volunteers served 49th State Brewing soda and root beer, and staff from Palmer Brewing poured beer. Outside, El Senior Moose served tacos, burritos and nachos from its food truck. About a dozen volunteers supported the event.
A raffle also drew strong participation, with 55 tickets sold and two winners taking home prizes, including a pair of skis that fit one recipient perfectly.
Local businesses also played a key role in the event’s success. Support from Sommer and Kevin Miller of Edward Jones in Palmer and the Alaska Marine Community Coalition helped fund the evening, while donations from Big Dipper Ice Cream and Odom Corp. supported the event. Palmer Brewing also donated proceeds from its beer sales. Emma Dirk provided photos that captured the evening.
The concert also delivered memorable, one-of-a-kind moments. One attendee staged a surprise marriage proposal on the ice, with the answer drawing cheers from the crowd. At least two local teens said they chose to attend the event instead of going to prom.
Organizers say the event’s success goes beyond the funds raised.
“Starting something new always comes with risk,” Bushatz said. “But this showed what’s possible when a community shows up — not just to have fun, but to support something that matters.”
The Icebreaker concert is part of the Mat-Su Sentinel’s broader effort to build community-centered events that both engage residents and support its mission of providing free, nonprofit local news and civic education across the region.