What to do this weekend in Mat-Su (May 15-17): Festivals, fun and a gun show
Palmer's summer Friday Fling event is back for the season starting this week.
What you need to know:
- Palmer’s summer event season kicks off this weekend with the first Friday Fling, featuring local vendors, food trucks, artists and live entertainment in downtown Palmer.
- Community events across the Mat-Su include the Friends of the Palmer Public Library book sale, the Willow gun show and the fourth annual One Health Fest, featuring a fun run, music and wellness activities.
- Residents and visitors can also enjoy theater and outdoor recreation events, including performances of “Oliver Jr. The Musical,” auditions for “The Phantom Tollbooth” and a summer adventure preview party hosted by Revel Adventure Club.
- Want your event included in an upcoming edition of "What to do this weekend in Mat-Su?" Email contact@matsusentinel.com
Festivals, fun runs and flings — it must be time for summer. Someone just needs to tell the weather.
This weekend’s Mat-Su events include the opening weekend of Palmer’s Friday Fling events, a monthly book fair, the fourth annual One Health Fest and the return of the Willow gun show. Plus, there’s a summertime adventure preview party and plenty of local theater.
From the theatrical to the agricultural, here are six fun things to do this weekend in the Valley:
First Friday Fling
Summertime events are underway in the Mat-Su, with the first Friday Fling scheduled for Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in downtown Palmer. The summerlong farmers market and craft fair brings local growers, vendors, food trucks and artisans, plus musicians and entertainers, to the Palmer Pavilion for a daylong event open to all.
Friday’s featured artist will be Sam Chadwick, who will discuss her sculptural weaving and drawing, which are on display at the Palmer Museum through May 20.
This year’s Friday Flings will be held May 15, 22 and 29; June 5, 19 and 26; July 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31; and Aug. 7 and 14. For more information, visit palmerchamber.org.
Book it!
Bring a friend and visit the Friends of the Palmer Public Library monthly book sale Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Palmer Senior Center, 1132 S. Chugach St. The group is currently raising funds to help pay for a new public library building, with a groundbreaking scheduled for May 30. To learn more about the group and its efforts, visit friendspplak.org.
Target Willow
The Upper Susitna Shooters will hold a spring gun show Saturday and Sunday at the Willow Community Center, 23557 Willow Community Center Circle in Willow. General admission tickets are $7, or $5 for seniors 65 and older. Children 16 and younger are free. Find more information.
Feeling dramatic?
Local talent will take the stage at Colony Middle School this weekend for the school’s production of “Oliver Jr. The Musical.” Tickets are $5 for the performances, which will be held at 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday.
No experience is necessary to try out for the upcoming Valley Performing Arts production of “The Phantom Tollbooth,” the first production of the group’s upcoming 51st season. Auditions for actors ages 10 and older will be held Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday at 4 p.m. at the theater, 251 W. Swanson Ave. in Wasilla. For more information, visit vpaalaska.org.
Festival time
Celebrate healthy living Saturday at the fourth annual One Health Fest from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Palmer Depot. The free community event kicks off with a 5-kilometer Tater Trot fun run at 10 a.m., followed by festival events starting at 11 a.m. There will be yoga, vendors, food for purchase and music by The Robotz, Aspenyarrow and The Triple Black Diamonds. For more information, visit onwardandupward.org.
Adventurous spirits
Palmer’s Revel Adventure Club will host a free Summer Preview Party Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. at Palmer Brewing Company, 650 E. Steel Loop in Palmer. The event will highlight the group’s upcoming activities and give people a chance to learn about Mat-Su trails while mingling with fellow adventurers. For more information, visit reveltreksandtours.com.
-- Matt Tunseth is a freelance writer from Southcentral Alaska. Email him at matthew.tunseth@gmail.com.