Contributed by City of Wasilla
Kids of all ages will enjoy Wasilla Summerfest 2016, a family fun and entertaining event spread over two long weekends. The Menard Center and various City of Wasilla locations will host Wasilla Summerfest 2016 the following weekends: June 23-26 and, July 1-4.
On June 23rd, A1 Midway Amusements will kick off the event at 4:00 p.m., providing thrills and excitement with some of the best and wildest rides, including: the Sizzler, Slide, Ferris Wheel, Tilt-a-Whirl, Zipper, and many kiddie rides too! There will be rides for all ages and scream levels! A $30 wrist band lets you ride all day, or you can purchase tickets for each ride; $1 a ticket, or $35 for 40 tickets. The fare for each ride is about 3-5 tickets.
Wasilla Summerfest will also have food and games! Bring the family and enjoy the wonderful food from the vendors on site! Plus, there will be yummy treats like cotton candy, caramel apples, snow cones, burgers and French fries.
Rides, games, and food hours are: June 23rd, 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.; June 24th – 26th and July 1st – 4th, 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Admission onto the grounds is free, with lots of free, easy parking for the event. Also, free live entertainment on the MTA stage from July 1st - 3rd, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. daily, featuring:
Blue Voodoo (Classic Rock) - July 1st; Element 47 (Classic Rock) – July 2nd; and, Studebaker Hawk (Country) – July 3rd . . . All outside on the Menard Center grounds!
The shining jewel of the first weekend (June 24th) is a rare and up close concert with LT Smooth, a Grammy nominated entertainer, musician, and artist, who has shared the stage with popular artists such as: Stevie Wonder, Lenny Kravitz, Adele, and the Foo Fighters!
If you love the sound of Hawaiian Reggae/Slack Key, you will love the wonderful vibes from this amazing artist, bringing to Alaska the Aloha spirit and laid back Polynesian ambiance. The concert includes a Polynesian Dinner starting at 5:30 p.m. The plated dinner will be catered by Hula Hands, serving Kahlua Pig, Pulehu Chicken, steamed rice, macaroni salad, green salad, dessert, and drinks. Purchase your tickets at the Menard Center by calling 357-9100: adults $25, youth (7-13) $10, and kids under 6 free. Limited number of tickets are available, so call today; will-call available, too. You won’t want to miss this fabulous opportunity to see LT Smooth up-close and personal! Dinner and concert will be inside the Menard Center. Bring the kids, because there will be fun games provided by King’s Chapel volunteers.
Don’t leave town this 4th of July! There will be many fun activities for the family to participate in! You won’t want to miss the 4th of July parade, hosted by the Wasilla Chamber of Commerce, and starting at 11:00 a.m. in downtown Wasilla.
Directly following the parade will be the Mayor’s Picnic, from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., at Iditapark (Nelson and Lucille), with free hot dogs, games, hot dog eating contest, and music by Element 47.
Wasilla Summerfest will continue at the Menard Center until 9:00 p.m., with amusements, games, and food. Aurora Pyrotechnics will light up the sky at 8:00 p.m., creating a wonderful display near Wonderland Park (Nelson and Weber Streets). You’re going to love what Wasilla Summerfest has to offer right here in your own hometown!