The frontiersman. [volume] (Palmer, Alaska) 1952-2005, 1958-05-28
ideal WEATHER
ATTRACTS BIG
COLONY DAY CROWD

one OF the largest Colony Day
crowds in many years visited
Palmer this past Sunday and
joined settlers, colonists, and
other residents in observing the
23rd anniversary of the colonial
ton Of the Matanuska Valley.
Honored guests throughout the
day were the early-day settlers,
colonists, and their families. Sew
enty-three Of these special guests
registered at reception held
from noon until | b. m. at Elks
hall; included were rs Colony
families. In addition to the recep-
ton the group held special seats
on the reviewing stand and were
saluted by marching units Of the
parade
\ The free barbecue was the most
popular spot on the fairgrounds
once the serving got under way
Hundreds of sandwiches made
with tender valley beef, as we'll
as baked Matanuska Valley pota-
toes, were given out during the
afternoon. Rice's Bakery person
mel were responsible for the pre-
\ roasting of the meat and the po-
tato baking, two Of the biggest
jobs. l.. OF Stock whipped up his
delicious 'secret" barbecue sauce
2 to add that famous taste to the
meat. Assisting in serving and
carving were many local folk,
\ among them Elsie Lowe who has
helped in this capacity for many
Colony Day celebrations. Stock
served as chairman Of the barbe-
que and E. Boicourt hauled the
wood and assisted with building
the fire in the pit. Another popu-
| lar spot at the fairgrounds was
in one of the huts where bop"
session was held for the young
people. Lew Hanks was in charge
of getting records for the dane
ers, as we'll as in charge of set
ting up for the free movies which
also drew a big crowd.
| Gene Kirsch kept the young
people busy with numerous
games and events, including the
ever popular pie eating contest,
/ All Brooks, who accepted the
big job of general chairman, ex-
pressed his appreciation to all
the merchants and local residents
who participated in the parade
and helped in many other ways.
He expressed his gratitude to
Max Clements and the MIA
crew for erecting and taking
down the Colony Day sign and
for setting tip the public address
system at the fairgrounds; to Lee
Plumbley, band master, and the
band students and drum corps;
Jim Wilson who helped him CO.
ordinate many phases of the pro-
gram; Andy" Anderson who
handled the chairs on the reveiw-
ing stand; the Alaska Railroad
for the use Of their loading dock;
the military units, locally and
from Fort Richardson; and the
riding clubs, All who contributed
much to the very successful Col
ony Day celebration.
In spite Of hundreds Of paper
napkins and cups, remains OF
baked potatoes, etc, that Uttered
the fairgrounds at the close OF
the celebration, within a matter
of hours everything was spick
and span. Credit goes to the Pal
mer volunteer firemen. The fire
men challenged the Palmer Ki-
wanians to game Of baseball,
with the loser to clean up the
grounds after Colony Day the
firemen won the honor Of clean
ing. the grounds, and did a fine
job Of it.
4 HORSEBACK POLO
"a good game Of horseback polo
was staged by valley riders and
members of the Chugach Range
Riders. Following the Colony Day
events a rodeo was staged by
two local riders with Company
taking first; Whitmeyer second,
and Gillian third. Gillian made
a hit in the parade, also, as z
clown. Jimmy Hartner put on 4
good performance BY attempting
/ TO ride any horse offered.
PARADE WINNERS
Spectators lined the streets
along the parade route and en-
joyed one Of the better parades
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