What to do this weekend in Mat-Su (June 5-7): 9 fun options across the valley

What you need to know:

• The weekend lineup includes outdoor concerts, the Recycle Revival music festival at Skeetawk, Houston’s 60th birthday celebration, National Trails Day hikes and the opening weekend of the Mat-Su Miners baseball season.
• Other highlights include the Children’s Book Fest in Palmer, the AARS Fun Day with games and a barbecue, and opportunities to meet local glass artist Heidi Scott.
• Valley Charities will host a free customer appreciation barbecue at three locations, while the Wasilla Farmers Market opens for the season with local produce, crafts and artisan goods.
• Want your event included in an upcoming edition of "What to do this weekend in Mat-Su?" Email contact@matsusentinel.com to make a suggestion!

Suddenly, sunshine and green grass seem to be everywhere as summer has finally arrived in the Mat-Su. Though the hours are long, the months will be short, and choosing among summertime activities won’t be easy.

That’s the case this weekend in the valley, where there’s no shortage of events to keep folks hopping from place to place. So many, in fact, that we’ve got a full top-nine list of things to do this weekend. It includes activities for everyone, including fun for kids, free food and, of course, plenty of outdoor recreation.

Here’s a slice of what’s going on this weekend in Mat-Su:

Catch some tunes

Music lovers are in for a treat Saturday and Sunday, with a pair of open-air events set to rock the Valley. 

Find free music Friday and Saturday at the Palmer Alehouse at 7 p.m. with the Jerry Wessling Band and Hot Mess. 

On Saturday, Wasilla’s weekly Music in the Park series will feature Black Barrel & the Bad Men from 6 to 9 p.m. at Iditapark in downtown Wasilla. Expect free admission, food trucks, vendors, a beer garden and good vibes. 

On Sunday, starting at 1 p.m., the annual Recycle Revival music festival will take over Skeetawk Ski Area in Hatcher Pass for a day of music, dancing, vendors, beer and family fun. Tickets are $20 for the festival, which will feature Lulu Small, John Cook, the Robotz, Denali Cooks and the Jerry Wessling Band.

Celebrate a diamond birthday

Get in on the birthday fun at Houston’s 60th birthday party Saturday at Houston City Hall. The city will serve free Miller’s Market ice cream and cake from a local bakery. Residents also can weigh in on the city’s proposed new seals, which are scheduled to go before the City Council for a vote next week. The festivities run from 3 to 5 p.m.

Take a hike

Saturday is National Trails Day, and the timing couldn’t be better, with most popular local hiking trails free of snow. For a list of area trails, check out the Mat-Su Borough’s website at matsugov.us. Celebrate on your own or join Revel Treks and Tours for a "Mellow Pop-up Hike" at 2 p.m. at the Kin-Win Trailhead off Trunk Road. Revel’s public hikes cost $15 and require registration, but first-time participants hike free. Find more information about this hike on Mat-Su Sentinel’s community calendar. 

Watch a ballgame

It’s true, this idea isn’t quite in Mat-Su. Head down the Glenn Highway for a sneak peek at your 2026 Mat-Su Miners when the Alaska Baseball League champions open their season Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m. in Chugiak. The Miners’ home opener isn’t until June 10, but they’ll start the season by visiting the Chugiak-Eagle River Chinooks at Lee Jordan Field in the Loretta French Sports Complex, where admission is always free.

Meet the artist

Local glass artist Heidi Scott is currently the featured artist at the Palmer Museum of History and Art, 723 S. Valley Way. Scott will be at the museum Friday to talk about her work, which uses specialized techniques to create layered glass. For more information, visit Mat-Su Sentinel’s community calendar.

Read a book

The young and young at heart are invited to celebrate children’s literacy at a Children’s Book Fest from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Downtown Palmer Pavilion. This free community event includes games, crafts, kids activities and story time from local authors Miranda Miller, Brooke Hartman, Tricia Brown and Barbara Brovelli-Moon. Find more information on Facebook.

Have some good, clean fun

The public is invited to the Alaska Addiction Rehabilitation Services Fun Day on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the facility at 26731 W. Point Mackenzie Road. The group’s largest event of the year brings AARS clients, their families and the public together for a day celebrating recovery and includes a free barbecue, face painting, games, farm tours, produce and basket sales, door prizes and a drawing for the annual raffle winners. For more information, visit Mat-Su Sentinel’s community calendar.

Grab a bite

Valley Charities is celebrating 70 years with a free customer appreciation barbecue Saturday at three Mat-Su locations. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., board members will serve free hot dogs to the public at Durable Medical Lending, 1301 S. Seward Meridian, and both Mat-Su Turn-A-Leaf thrift stores, 400 N. Yenlo St. in Wasilla and the Meadow Lakes Mall. For more information, visit valleycharities.org.

Go to market

The Wasilla Farmers Market starts this week and runs Wednesdays and Saturdays through Sept. 12 in the Valley Performing Arts parking lot, 251 W. Swanson Ave. in Wasilla. The market features a variety of local produce, crafts, food products and other goods from local artisans and farmers. For more information, visit Mat-Su Sentinel’s community.

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