Mat-Su Valley Blog

Even during the summer, you can still have a dog mushing experience during a visit to the Mat-Su Valley. From visiting with Iditarod champions to petting newborn huskies, Iditarod and dog mushing is a year-round event in Alaska. Dog mushing is Alaska's official state sport, but more than that, it's...

In 1984 President Reagan declared July to be National Ice Cream Month. He even went a step further and designated the third Sunday in July as National Ice Cream Day. Sounds like a "sweet" idea to me! If you're a huge ice cream fan, you probably already have this holiday on your radar. If you're an...

Downtown Wasilla is the place to be this Fourth of July, as it promises to be a sea of red, white and blue as the annual parade floats wind their way through the town. It's one of the largest parades you'll see each year, and there's plenty of fun to be had. The parade begins at 11 a.m. sharp and...

This weekend, Colony Days takes over downtown Palmer, and with it, plenty of opportunities to get outside, have fun and celebrate. Colony Days kicks off Friday with several events, including the weekly Friday Flings open air market. From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., family activities will be taking place in...

Every Friday throughout the summer, Talkeetna is the place to be for live music, as the Live at 5 Summer Concert Series takes center stage. Co-sponsored by Denali Arts Council and the Talkeetna Chamber of Commerce, Live at 5 runs through August 30, with new bands playing every Friday at 5 p.m. The...

The first long holiday weekend of the summer is finally here, and it's time to get out and explore! While camping and barbecuing is high on the list of things to do for many, there are organized activities taking place around the Valley. For live music, there's plenty to pick from: Ukulele Russ...

Palmer's popular outdoor market, Friday Fling, returns every spring and continues through August in the downtown area. Each Friday, the downtown area turns into a makeshift farmer's market, food court and music venue, as Friday Fling takes shape. The market typically runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m....

When a community hosts tractor pulls, farmers markets, and a Colony Days celebration commemorating its agricultural beginnings, you'd be right to assume that farming is a pretty big deal there. Just in case you still have any doubt, however, the town of Palmer has found a way to put its agricultural...

One of the surest signs that summer is finally here is the announcement that Settlers Bay Golf Course and Palmer Golf Course are both open for play. Settlers Bay Golf Course, 10 miles north of Wasilla, boasts "Alaska's best putting greens" and opens play on April 26. There are no temporary greens,...

April 22 is celebrated as Earth Day around the world, a time to reflect on the importance the environment has on our surroundings. And as we quickly transition from winter to summer, now is a perfect time to get out and enjoy the great outdoors to refresh yourself. Our Alaska State Parks system...