What to do this weekend in Mat-Su (July 31-Aug 2): Races, machines and motorsports

What you need to know:

• The Mat-Su offers a packed weekend of summer activities with options for music lovers, sports fans, families, book enthusiasts and motorsports followers.
• Highlights include the Hatcher Pass Races, the Mighty Machines event at the Museum of Alaska, live concerts across the region, an adult spelling bee and book launch, and open mic night at Black Birch Books.
• Whether you're looking for outdoor adventure or indoor entertainment, there are events taking place in Palmer, Wasilla, Talkeetna, the Butte, Willow and Hatcher Pass throughout the weekend.
• Want your event included in an upcoming edition of "What to do this weekend in Mat-Su?" Email contact@matsusentinel.com

July went by in a flash, but that doesn’t mean summer is suddenly over. There’s still plenty of sunshine and fun to be had, and this weekend is no exception.

There’s a multitude of music to choose from across the region, massive machinery to check out in Wasilla, auto racing in the Butte and Willow, an intense athletic competition in Hatcher Pass, and a chance to put your creativity on display in Palmer. Plus, there’s a little indoor fun for those who just want to curl up with a good book. From wordsmithing to warbling, here are six stimulating situations to get into this weekend in the Mat-Su.

Spell check

Show off your spelling savvy Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m. at 203 Kombucha (105 S. Valley Way) in Palmer during an adult spelling bee and book launch promoting the latest offering from Wasilla publisher Red Sweater Press. Enjoy kombucha, tea or coffee, and listen to stories from Red Sweater’s anthology, Spell Check: Lessons Learned from Screwing Up Words, before the bee begins. The winner will receive a copy of the book, a gift card and bragging rights. For more information, visit the Mat-Su Sentinel community calendar.

Runners’ high

Cheer on some of Alaska’s most incredible athletes during the grueling Hatcher Pass Races on Saturday in the Talkeetna Mountains. The 50-mile and marathon events climb from Willow to more than 3,900 feet in elevation, finishing near Independence Mine State Recreation Area. The 50-miler begins and ends near Hatcher Pass Lodge, while the marathon starts in Willow. Expect racers to cross the finish line Saturday afternoon. For more information, visit the event page on Facebook.

Open to all

Try your hand at performing during an open mic night Friday at 7 p.m. at Black Birch Books (2091 E. Bogard Road) in Wasilla. The event is free, everyone is welcome, and any type of act is encouraged.

They’re a big deal

Expect everything from backhoes to Bobcats to bulldozers during the Museum of Alaska’s Mighty Machines event Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the museum, 3800 W. Museum Drive in Wasilla. There will be equipment demonstrations, food trucks and raffles at this family-friendly event. Adult tickets are $15, kid’s tickets are $10, or get a family pass for $50. For more information, visit the Mat-Su Sentinel calendar.

Tune in

There’s plenty of live music to check out this week, including the latest installments of several summertime staples:

• Talkeetna’s free Live at 5 series will feature the Dead Winter Carpenters on Friday at 5 p.m. at Talkeetna Village Park.
• Solo artist Sergio Adam will perform at Palmer’s free Friday Flings music series Friday from noon to 3 p.m. at the Downtown Palmer Pavilion.
• Palmer Alehouse has another full weekend planned in its summer concert series. On Thursday, Mario Carboni will perform. On Friday, I Like Robots will take the stage, followed by Schaeffer Mueller and the Neon Highway on Sunday. All shows begin at 7 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit palmeralehouse.com.
• Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band will headline the latest installment of the Musk Ox Farm’s summer concert series Friday at 7 p.m. at the farm, 12850 E. Archie Road in Palmer. The band will be joined by Tom Leston of Haines and veteran Alaska rockers Matt Hopper & the Roman Candles. Adult tickets are $35, and tickets for children ages 5-17 are $20. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit muskoxfarm.org.

Vrooom!

Grab some earplugs and head for the races. Alaska Raceway Park in the Butte will host a two-day Dirt Modified Doubleheader on Friday and Saturday at the park’s dirt-track oval. Gates open at 2 p.m., with NASCAR/INEX racing beginning at 6 p.m. both days. General admission is $14. For more information or to purchase tickets or pit passes, visit raceak.com.

On Saturday, Capitol Speedway in Willow will host dirt-track racing beginning at 5 p.m. Gates open at 3 p.m. at the track at Mile 75.5 of the Parks Highway. For more information, visit capitolspeedway.org.

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