Houston to celebrate 60th birthday with free cake and ice cream Saturday

What you need to know:

• Houston will celebrate its 60th birthday with a free community ice cream social at Houston City Hall on June 6. The event will feature guest speakers, local elected officials and activities for residents.
• Attendees also will have an opportunity to review and comment on three finalist logo designs before the Houston City Council makes a final selection at its June 11 meeting.
• City leaders say Houston has maintained its small-town character despite growth, emphasizing volunteerism, rural living and community involvement since its incorporation in 1966.

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HOUSTON – Now that it is officially turning 60 years old, the city of Houston just wants to celebrate.

On Saturday, June 6, the Susitna Valley city of about 2,000 residents will hold a community ice cream social at Houston City Hall to celebrate its 60th birthday. City officials said the event will include guest speakers, local dignitaries, and an opportunity to weigh in on the city’s new logo.

“It’s just a fun time for people to get together,” Houston Mayor Carter Cole said in an interview.

Officials are hoping for a large turnout at the ice cream social, which is free and open to the public. The ice cream will be provided by Houston landmark Miller’s Market, a popular ice cream stop along the Parks Highway. The cake is being provided by Calico Bakery. The city is also partnering with the Susitna Rotary for a community cleanup Saturday.

Cole said Miller’s is donating half the cost of the ice cream as a gesture of support for the community.

“They wanted to do something for the anniversary,” he said.

The event will serve as a chance for residents to weigh in on the three finalists for a new Houston logo, Houston Public Safety Director Christian Hartley said. The old logo is being replaced after city officials determined it needed an upgrade, in part because it did not reproduce well digitally.

The three finalists include a scene depicting a lake, moose, totem pole, and fireworks; one showing a bird, the Big Dipper, flowers, and fireworks; and a third depicting fireweed, fireworks, ice cream, and Mount Susitna. While public comments are not binding, they will give the Houston City Council some guidance when it makes a final decision at its June 11 meeting.

“We’re just getting input from people,” he said.

Hartley said elected officials who have so far confirmed they’ll attend include Mat-Su Borough Mayor Edna DeVries, Houston City Council members, State Sen. George Rauscher, State Rep. Kevin McCabe, and a representative from Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s office. There also will be a video from Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s office, he said.

According to a Frontiersman story from 2017, Houston was founded as a railroad siding in 1917 and named after U.S. Rep. Sam Houston of Tennessee. Hartley said the town was officially incorporated June 6, 1966, though the incorporation paperwork was filed two days earlier.

“At the pace of government, it didn’t actually get finalized until the 6th,” he said.

Officials said Houston remains true to its small-town roots despite steady growth over the past several decades.

“Today, Houston remains a place where people still know one another, where volunteerism matters, and where residents continue building a strong future together,” according to a city statement.

Cole said most residents still like the slow pace of life and wide-open spaces that characterize the area, which is known for its independent spirit, outdoor recreation, and Alaska’s only legal fireworks.

“I would describe it as a rural town with plenty of potential,” he said. “People here like the rural lifestyle and limited government.”

Both Hartley and Cole said they are hoping for a large crowd at the event, which runs from 3 to 5 p.m.

“We want as many people as possible to attend,” Hartley said.

-- Contact Amy Bushatz at contact@matsusentinel.com