What to do this weekend in Mat-Su (May 8-10): Musk oxen, food trucks, music and history
Outdoor events are beginning to bloom in the Valley, where Mother’s Day weekend activities include a plant sale, food truck festival, outdoor music, a footrace and even the chance to visit a farm. And if none of those strikes your fancy, head indoors to grab a bagful of books or learn a bit about baseball.
From musk oxen and moms to musicians and markets, here are some fun events to check out this weekend in the Mat-Su:
Play ball!
The Palmer Museum of History and Art will feature “Alaska’s Field of Dreams: Baseball in America’s Far North” from 6-8 p.m. Friday at the museum, 723 S. Valley Way in downtown Palmer. The free public event will feature a presentation on Alaska baseball history by Alaska State Historian Katie Ringsmuth. Visitors can also check out the museum’s special exhibit celebrating Palmer’s baseball history. For more information, visit the Mat-Su Sentinel events calendar.
Vintage fun
More than 100 vendors, 30 food trucks and dozens of local farmers are expected at the Alaska Vintage Market and Food Truck Fest from Friday through Sunday at the Alaska State Fairgrounds in Palmer. Hours are 4-9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5 Friday and Saturday for ages 13 and older, while Sunday admission is free for all. Parking is free. For more information, visit the Mat-Su Sentinel events calendar.
This year’s event coincides with the 5-kilometer Priceless Freedom Run at 6 p.m. Saturday at the fairgrounds. Check-in begins at 5 p.m. The race supports survivors of sex trafficking in Alaska. Registration is $25 and includes free admission to the market. The event also includes a free 1-mile race for children 12 and younger. For more information, visit the event page.
Sounds of summer
Live music is heating up across the Mat-Su, with Palmer Alehouse’s weekly concert series getting underway last weekend. On Friday, Johnny Prizm takes the alehouse’s outdoor stage in downtown Palmer from 7-10 p.m., followed by H3 on Saturday night. Also Saturday, Pushki Pickers will play Hatcher Pass Lodge from 4-7 p.m., while Schaefer Mueller and the Neon Highway will perform at Four Corners Lounge in Palmer at 10 p.m. Check individual venue Facebook pages for more information.
Book it!
Need a book for those lazy summer days ahead? The Wasilla Public Library’s Second Saturday Used Book Sale is from 1-4 p.m. at the library, 500 N. Crusey St. Browse the library’s used selection and get a bagful of books for $5. For more information, visit Friends of the Wasilla Public Library on Facebook.
Mom and musk ox
The Musk Ox Farm will celebrate its seasonal opening with free admission for mothers Sunday at the farm, 12850 E. Archie Road in Palmer. The event is an annual tradition at the farm, which offers guided tours throughout the summer. For more information, visit the Mat-Su Sentinel events calendar.
Room to grow
Finally, it wouldn’t be Mother’s Day weekend without Palmer FFA’s annual plant sale, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Palmer High agriculture building. Proceeds from sales of student-grown plants support local students and programs. For more information, visit Palmer FFA on Facebook.
-- Matt Tunseth is a freelance writer from Southcentral Alaska. Email him at matthew.tunseth@gmail.com.