What to do this weekend in Mat-Su (Aug. 14-16): Fireworks, salmon and a final fling
Don't miss a chance to head to Houston and Talkeetna for some weekend fun!
What you need to know:
- Houston and Talkeetna host two of the weekend’s biggest events. Houston Founder’s Day features a parade, games, live music and fireworks Saturday, while Wild Salmon Weekend brings three days of salmon-themed events to Talkeetna Friday through Sunday.
- There are plenty of other ways to get outside. Palmer’s Friday Fling wraps up its summer season Friday, and the inaugural Warrior Fun Run in Wasilla on Saturday will benefit the Arctic Warriors Wrestling Club.
- Live music is happening across the Mat-Su: Black Barrel and the Bad Men and Johnny Prizim perform in Palmer, TKA Hawks plays in Talkeetna, and the Jerry Wessling Band and DJ Red perform in Houston.
- Want your event included in an upcoming edition of "What to do this weekend in Mat-Su?" Email contact@matsusentinel.com
Excitement is building for the Alaska State Fair later this month, but there’s still a fair bit of summertime fun left on the Mat-Su entertainment schedule before Palmer’s massive end-of-summer festival takes center stage.
This weekend’s biggest shows include a founding fireworks celebration in Houston, a salmon celebration in Talkeetna, a race for a cause in Wasilla and plenty of outdoor music everywhere you listen.
From fish to explosive fanfare, here are five fun things to do this weekend in the Mat-Su:
Founding fireworks
Houston Founders Day is one of the biggest Susitna Valley parties of the summer. The quintessential small-town celebration will include everything from a parade to a fireworks show — with plenty of music, food and games (there’s a pie-eating contest, an egg toss, poker, kids’ field games and more) thrown in to add to the festivities. This is also the first year the fun is an official holiday under Houston city law, an update approved by voters last year.
It all starts at 6:30 p.m. Saturday with a parade and community events at the Houston Public Safety Building at Mile 57 of the Parks Highway and culminates with a fireworks show at 10:30 p.m. For more information, find the event schedule on Facebook.
Celebrating salmon
The Susitna River Coalition will host its 2nd Annual Wild Salmon Weekend Friday through Sunday in Talkeetna. Highlights include an event kickoff at the Talkeetna Farmers Market Friday at 5 p.m., a free riverfront nature walk Saturday at 10 a.m., a salmon art auction from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar and the community Wild Salmon Celebration Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. There will be grilled salmon burgers, salmon-themed art and more events celebrating salmon and the Susitna River. For more information, visit Mat-Su Sentinel's community calendar.
Fling finale
There’s still time for one last summer Fling. Palmer’s weekly Friday Fling farmers market/community celebration will wrap up for the summer Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the downtown Palmer Pavilion. Catch musical act Solosteve or check out one of the many vendors. For more information, visit palmerchamber.org.
Run like a Warrior
Get a Warrior’s workout and support a worthy cause Saturday at 3:30 p.m. during the inaugural Warrior Fun Run at Wasilla High. The 5-kilometer race will benefit the Arctic Warriors Wrestling Club. Entry is $15 and includes prizes, a shorter kids’ race and refreshments at the finish. Kids 5 and under are free. On-site registration starts at 3 p.m. For more information or to preregister, visit arcticwarriorswrestling.com.
Live music this week
The Palmer Alehouse’s Summer Concert Series isn’t slowing down just yet. On Friday, Black Barrel and the Bad Men will take the stage in downtown Palmer, while Johnny Prizim is the featured act on Saturday. Shows start at 7 p.m. For more information, visit palmeralehouse.com.
Talkeetna’s free Live at Five series will feature TKA Hawks Friday at 5 p.m. at Talkeetna Village Park.
The Jerry Wessling Band and DJ Red will both perform for the public during Houston’s Founders Day celebration Friday from 7 to 10:45 p.m.
- Matt Tunseth is a freelance writer from Southcentral Alaska. Email him at matthew.tunseth@gmail.com.