Author: Casey Ressler

Casey Ressler is the Mat-Su CVB marketing and communications manager. A perfect day for him involves his raft and his fly rod, ending with a campfire on the river with a view of Denali.

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., family activities will be taking place in...

Live at 5

May 30, 2024 by Casey Ressler
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...

Memorial Day

May 22, 2024 by Casey Ressler
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...

Friday Fling

May 14, 2024 by Casey Ressler
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....

Golf season begins

April 25, 2024 by Casey Ressler
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,...

Earth Day

April 22, 2024 by Casey Ressler
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...
Despite having a lot of snow on the ground still, the first sign of spring is this weekend - the annual Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show at the Menard Center. You know that summer can't be too far away once the outdoor show season starts, and the Mat-Su show is the first one up on the calendar this year....

Spring Skiing

March 19, 2024 by Casey Ressler
The sun is returning and the temperatures may be easing, but there is still time to get some sweet runs in at the Valley's favorite recreational ski areas! Skeetawk, the first triple-chair lift ski area in the Mat-Su Valley, is open through April 21 for the season, giving skiers and snowboarders two...