Mat-Su Valley Blog

It's Christmas in September this weekend at the Alaska State Fairgrounds, as the Alaska Chicks Vintage Market holiday event takes place Friday through Sunday. Some of Alaska's trendiest small businesses, including upcyclers, artists, designers, apparel companies and vintage collectors attend the...

We all need something to look forward to again. And nothing is more exciting than planning that next perfect getaway. The one that can’t get here soon enough. Because the journey begins the moment we decide to go somewhere. Anywhere. It’s time to feel that feeling once again. Let’s get inspired. And...

While we all are missing the Alaska State Fair, a smaller version is taking place this weekend, highlighting the historical roots of the fair. Harvest Fest gets back to the fair's agricultural roots with events and exhibits focused on agriculture, livestock and Alaska Grown produce. Throughout the...

There is a crispness in the air, as summer slowly says good-bye to the Valley. Now is a great time to explore the Valley and take a scenic drive that bursts with color. One of our favorite drives is the Glenn Highway National Scenic Byway, from Palmer north all the way to Lake Louise. It truly lives...

In conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the Alaska State Parks, a special event is being planned for families at Independence Mine State Historical Park on Saturday, September 5. The Families to Parks program is designed to get families into state parks to enjoy the outdoors, learn about the...

This is the summer of the road trip, and the summer of Alaskans visiting their own backyards. A road trip is a great way to explore new areas and practice good social distancing. And when you are talking about Alaska road trips, they don't get much better than the Glenn Highway National Scenic...

The second week of August brings the peak of the silver salmon season in the Mat-Su Valley, a great time to have some fun on the water and have some fresh salmon fillets for the grill. Silvers - also known as coho salmon - are popular because they provide a lot of action on the river, and they make...

Palmer's history comes alive in a new photo collection project by the Palmer Museum of History and Art. The Matanuska Valley Historical Photo Project is an online database that is available to the public that contains the best photographs from the museum's collection of more than 10,000. The...

The Alaska State Fairgrounds is the place to be this weekend, as the Alaska Chicks Vintage Market takes place Friday through Sunday. The Vintage Market is typically held in the spring, but this year due to Covid-19, was moved to a summer date. The market has grown in popularity to become a can't...

Don't have a weekend to devote to hiking? That's not a problem in the Wasilla and Palmer area, as there are several great hiking opportunities just minutes from town. Here are our five favorites: 1. Hatcher Pass This is an easy choice! There are countless ways to explore Hatcher Pass, and there are...