It’s time for Page Two: News that might not make the front page for Tuesday, December 9, 2025.
Palmer Chamber of Commerce executive director Kellie Shoemake stood near the pavilion in downtown Palmer to watch the Colony Christmas fireworks last year. A little girl giggled and danced with her family next to her. People were smiling.
“I thought then, we did it!” Shoemake said. “That’s what Colony Christmas is all about.”
Shoemake became executive director of the Palmer Chamber of Commerce last year. She leads the planning for Colony Christmas with her executive assistant Monica Collins. It is one of the town’s most cherished events.
The theme this year is “Home for the Holidays.” The vintage Santa Claus poster designed by Shoemake inspired the theme. Collins then brought the idea to life with a series of nostalgic pen-and-ink posters. The posters advertise activities held throughout the weekend.
Colony Christmas is held the second weekend in December. It draws as many people as Colony Days draws in June. Shoemake estimates close to 5000 people enjoy the event.
There is so much to do downtown during Colony Christmas according to Shoemake. People can walk to see Santa and his reindeer, shop the holiday markets, or go from store to store and end the day with the parade and fireworks. She said having everything connected makes it feel like your hometown.
The economic impact of Colony Christmas is difficult to measure. Local businesses notice the boost though. Chamber board member and Palmer Bar owner Sherman Leifer told Shoemake it’s their busiest weekend of the year.
Shoemake said her goal is to balance tradition with fresh ideas. She works to keep the community needs in mind.
“Palmer is very serious about its Colony Christmas traditions,” she said. “And I want them to know we have their back.”
Colony Christmas is this weekend from Friday, December 12 through Sunday December 14. The schedule of events is on the Palmer Chamber website .
The Palmer Chamber of Commerce is led by a 10-member board. Shoemake and Collins are its only paid staff.
“I love Palmer!” Shoemake said. “I love the challenge. I want the Chamber to be the best it can be and bring it back to what businesses need.”
Colony Christmas is a great time to Shop Palmer. Spend ten dollars at a participating business and get a stamp. Ten stamps enter you in the weekly drawing for $500 in gift cards. There’s also a $1,000 grand prize.
Shop Palmer ends Thursday, December 18. Last year, shoppers turned in 5,000 cards. That’s half a million dollars spent right here in your hometown.
School is canceled again today for most of the borough. The District needs to make sure all facilities and buses are ready for normal operations after the high winds and electrical outages. Elementary and middle school activities are canceled. High school activities will be communicated by noon. Schools are open in Region 6 in the North Susitna Valley for Willow, Talkeetna and Trapper Creek.
Meg Bagetis from Alaska Farm Supply talks with Ken Hoffman on Ag Matters tomorrow at 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center forecasters discuss the current state of the snow pack and relevant avalanche safety topics at Back Country Bike and Ski tomorrow at 6 pm.
An open house on the Government Peak Recreation Area Plan update is tomorrow from 4 to 7 p.m. at the GPRA Chalet, 10690 N Mountain Trails Dr.
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Page Two articles are written by Emily Forstner, Lee Henrikson, and David Cheezem. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.
That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Tuesday, December. 9, 2025.