This weekend, Colony Days takes over downtown Palmer, and with it, plenty of opportunities to get outside, have fun and celebrate the rich history of the Matanuska Colony.

Colony Days kicks off Friday with several events, including the weekly Friday Flings open air market with live music from the Carhartt Brothers. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., kids games will be taking place in the Palmer Library parking lot as well. From noon to 5 p.m. at the Palmer Depot, a sidewalk art contest is taking place. At 4 p.m., don't miss the hilarious bed races on South Valley Way. Friday winds down with the popular Colony Days Classic Car Rally on Main Street. At 6 p.m. at the Alaska State Fairgrounds, the free Junior Rodeo takes place.

On Saturday, you don't want to miss the annual Colony Days parade, which runs throughout the downtown area along Main Street. The parade begins at 11 a.m. Other popular Saturday events include a tent city market from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., the Colony House open house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., kids games from noon to 6 p.m., the 2017 Rodeo Alaska Champions Tour at the Alaska State Fairgrounds and the Cowboy Ball and Barbecue. 

Sunday winds down Colony Days with the Bill Mitchell 5K run at 11 a.m., kids games throughout the day and the Rhubarb Revival Cooking Contest.

For a complete list of events, schedules and locations, visit www.palmerchamber.org. 

Colony Days celebrates the Matanuska Colonist project, when 200 families were relocated to the Palmer area from the Midwest in 1935, under FDR's New Deal program. They all received 40 acres and had to "prove up" the land by establishing farming and agricultural operations. The Colony faced many adversities, and more than half left the area within a year. Still, those who stayed persevered, and helped establish the town of Palmer, which still has strong roots in the agriculture industry.