Mat-Su Valley Blog

If you thought the snow on the mountains meant an end to those sunny visits to Independence Mine, think again. This photo was taken yesterday and I've just been told by Salmon Berry Travel & Tours, who operate tours up at the mine, that the weather in Hatcher Pass is glorious this week. Independence...

At this time of year, the lovable cloven-hoofed residents of the Valley's own Musk Ox Farm in Palmer have already reestablished their full coats in preparation for the colder months ahead. Now that the Musk Ox Farm is open year round, you can visit this iconic place and see these animals in their...

No doubt, I'm writing this a bit late. I'm sure we've all noticed already that the days are shortening and the temperatures have been slowly dropping lately. Perhaps there are few more obvious reminders that Alaska's preparing for another glorious winter, but there are still other indicators that...

This weekend is the final one for the 2023 Alaska State Fair, and even though it's going to be a little wet and blustery, it's time to head to Palmer for a weekend of fun! Headliner concerts for the final weekend include J. Boog on Thursday, Killswitch Engage on Friday, The String Cheese Incident on...

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...

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., kids games will be taking place in the...

Looking for a fun way to spend an evening, with breathtaking views of the Chugach Mountains and the fresh air of the Matanuska Valley? Look no further than Hermon Brothers Field, where the Mat-Su Miners take the field in the Alaska Baseball League. The Miners open their season on Monday, June 5. 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...

Every Friday throughout the summer, the Talkeetna Village Park 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 Sept. 1, with new bands playing every Friday...