What to do this weekend in Mat-Su (Feb. 12-15): Iron Dog, books and valentines

What you need to know:

• The Mat-Su Valley offers a variety of events for Valentine's Day weekend, including live music, outdoor recreation, a snowmachine race, and book fairs.
• The 2026 Iron Dog race kicks off Saturday at Big Lake, featuring pro-class teams and a memorial tribute to late racer Skye Rench.
• Several events support local causes, such as a fundraiser for wounded veterans by Alaska’s Healing Hearts and a free concert benefiting the Palmer Library.

• Short on time but need the local news scoop? Get free weekly news in your inbox for Mat-Su, from Mat-Su.

Whether you’re a lover of the arts, smitten with snowmachines, or have a weakness for prime rib, this Valentine’s Day weekend offers more than enough entertainment to keep Mat-Su pleasure seekers busy. The Iron Dog kicks off, there’s plenty of live music, and a local nonprofit is raising funds to support veterans.

Here are our picks for what to do this weekend in the Valley. Looking for even more weekend fun? Check out Mat-Su Sentinel's community calendar!

Valentine’s for the vets

Alaska’s Healing Hearts will host a Valentine’s Ballroom Bash at 7 p.m. Friday at the Four Corners Lounge in Palmer. The event includes a prime rib dinner, silent auction, live music, door prizes and more. Alaska’s Healing Hearts provides outdoor recreation opportunities for wounded veterans and their families. Single tickets are $20; couples can attend for $30.

Island vibes

Anchorage-based singer Shaun Pacarro, lead vocalist for the band H3, will perform a solo set of island reggae tunes starting at 7 p.m. at the Silver Fox in Wasilla. There’s no cover charge for this 21-and-older show.

Start those engines

Pro-class teams will hit the trail in the 2026 Iron Dog snowmachine race at 10 a.m. Saturday on Big Lake. Race-day festivities at Susitna Brewing Co. begin when vendor booths open at 9 a.m. There will be a racer’s prayer at 9:40 a.m., followed by 11 seconds of silence in memory of Skye Rench, a Wasilla Iron Dog racer who died in March while working on the Susitna River. Two-sled teams will depart in two-minute intervals, all vying to be the fastest to cover the 2,318-mile trail to Fairbanks via Nome. For more, visit irondog.org.

Songs and snow

Palmer musician Andy Mullen and his band, BANDANDY, will perform an all-ages show at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Hatcher Pass Lodge. The lodge is located near Independence Mine State Historical Park, which offers groomed cross-country ski trails, sledding and hiking opportunities for a $5 Alaska State Parks parking fee.

Books and bites

Fireside Books in Palmer is hosting a Books and Bites Book Fair from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. The event is a collaboration with Lekker Coffee and will feature a selection of the store’s “10 coziest books,” plus an offering from the Palmer coffee company. Author Mary Odden will also be on hand for a book signing. Find more information on Mat-Su Sentinel's calendar.

Music for a cause

Friends of the Palmer Library is hosting a free fundraising concert featuring a performance by the Mat-Su Orchestra at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Palmer Train Depot. Though admission is free, donations for the library will be accepted at the event or online at donate.pplak.org.

Want your event included in an upcoming edition of "What to do this weekend in Mat-Su?" Email contact@matsusentinel.com