What to do this weekend in Mat-Su (Feb. 19-22): Dogs, ice, music and arts

What you need to know:

• The Mat-Su Valley is hosting a wide range of weekend events between Feb. 19 and 22, including sled dog racing, pond hockey, state Nordic ski championships, live music, a wearable arts fashion show, a kids ice fishing derby and a free family movie.
• Major highlights include the Su-Dog 300 sled dog race in Willow, the Last Frontier Pond Hockey Classic in Big Lake and the ASAA Nordic Ski State Championships at Government Peak.
• Family-friendly options include a free Kids Ice Fishing Derby in Palmer, a showing of “The Princess and the Frog” at the Alaska Museum of Transportation and Industry and multiple all-ages entertainment events across the Valley.

• 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 feeling sporty or in the mood for some arts, the Mat-Su Valley is the place to be this weekend, with wall-to-wall events across the area set to keep folks busy areawide. There’s sled dog racing in the Su Valley, a huge hockey tournament in Big Lake, prep skiing at Government Peak, a free movie and fishing derby for kids, and even a stripped-down live music event in Palmer. From the intimate to the iced-out, here are our picks for what to do this weekend in the Mat-Su:

Lend an ear to local music

Dallas Lee is a staple of the Pacific Northwest indie music scene as the frontman of Eel Sallad. He’ll hit the Palmer Alehouse for a solo acoustic set at 6 p.m. Thursday, blending Americana, rock and folk. This is a free, all-ages show; attendees younger than 21 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Check out some hockey

The Last Frontier Pond Hockey Classic is one of the biggest outdoor events on Alaska’s winter calendar, bringing hundreds of hockey players from across the state to Big Lake for three days of on-ice competition and off-ice fun. Presented by the Scotty Gomez Foundation and hosted by Burkeshore Marina, the event features adult and youth tournaments spanning three days. Friday’s festivities include youth games from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a dance party at 8 p.m. featuring DJ Natty. Saturday features adult games from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., a dance party with I Love Robots from 8 p.m. to midnight and fireworks at 9 p.m. Parking is $10 per day or $20 for the entire event, with proceeds going to the Houston High hockey program. For more information, visit akpond.com.

Watch future skiing stars

If you can’t make Milan, check out the next generation of Olympic hopefuls Thursday through Saturday during the ASAA/First National Bank Alaska Nordic Ski State Championships at Government Peak Recreation Area in Palmer. The event is routinely a proving ground for some of the nation’s top young Nordic skiers, with past state Skimeisters including current U.S. Olympians Gus Schumacher and Kendall Kramer. Thursday’s races include interval-start freestyle beginning at 11 a.m. Racing begins at 11 a.m. Friday with mass-start classic technique races, and Saturday is set aside for relay races and awards. For more information, visit asaa.org.

Hit the runway

The Valley Arts Alliance is presenting its 20th annual Wearable Arts & Runway Fashion Show on Saturday at the Palmer Depot building. Shows include a 3 p.m. matinee and a 7 p.m. performance. Participants will create wearable art pieces and walk a fashion runway to specially selected music. Cost is $15 per person, but children 12 and younger are free for the 3 p.m. show. Read more about this on Mat-Su Sentinel.

Go fish!

The Eagle River Lions Club is sponsoring its 27th annual Kids Ice Fishing Derby from noon to 3 p.m. at the Palmer Elks Lodge on Finger Lake. The event is free, and there will be prizes for anglers ages 16 and younger. Organizers will provide ice holes, poles, bait and hot chocolate and snacks. For more information, visit the event page on Facebook.

Get down with the dogs

It’s not the Iditarod, but it is a qualifier for the Last Great Race, and it is happening this weekend in the Mat-Su. It’s the Su Dog 300 Sled Dog Race, a 300-mile race that starts and finishes on the ice of Willow Lake after looping through the Upper Susitna communities of Talkeetna, Petersville and Caswell. Watch the dogs and mushers as they hit the trail starting at 2 p.m. Saturday. For more information, visit sudog300.org.

Catch a free show

The Alaska Museum of Transportation and Industry is offering free entertainment Saturday night with a 6 p.m. showing of the family favorite “The Princess and the Frog” at the museum in Wasilla. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Popcorn and other treats will be available for purchase.

-- Matt Tunseth is a freelance writer from Southcentral Alaska. Write to him at matthew.tunseth@gmail.com