Hey Y’all Hey, What’s Happenin’ AK: The Golden Heart City Feels the Midnight Sun Fun

Written by Jameka Lache Horton

The Midnight Sun is shining a bright light on what’s to come this summer in the Golden Heart City. Recently, long-standing community event centers — beloved by the “golden generation” for over six decades — have been at the heart of major discussions. Joy Community Center and Mary Siah Recreation Center both faced potential closure, as proposed by the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly. Even the Carlson Center narrowly avoided the same fate. Thankfully, the summer of 2025 is still shaping up to be packed with memorable activities for residents and visitors alike.

During the May 1st episode of A Peculiar Push w/ Jameka Lache, I shared that our voices matter in shaping the future of these community centers. Showing up consistently to Borough Assembly meetings helps ensure our opinions are heard. As of now, Mary Siah and the Carlson Center remain open and operational — but Joy Community Center’s future is still uncertain.

These places are more than just buildings. They’re memory makers, community builders, and soulful parts of what the Last Frontier has to offer right here in the heart of Fairbanks. Our villages — our communities — continue to grow when we support and utilize these spaces.

This summer, several Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival courses will take place at various venues, including Joy Community Center. You can find a full lineup of the 14-day celebration at fsaf.org.

Mary Siah continues to host senior recreational swimming and ADA-compliant aerobics courses. Meanwhile, the Carlson Center — home of the UAF Nanooks Hockey Team — is also bringing back its popular community skate nights this summer, introduced in 2024 by General Manager Terrell Echols.

So go on — get out there! Attend an event, speak up for these venues, and let your experiences speak for the spaces that have helped shape the heart of our city. Even those who’ve never stepped inside will start to see why these centers are worth saving.

Best of Love to you

For more events listen for the “Hey y’all Hey, What’s Happenin’ AK” segment on A Peculiar Push w/ Jameka Lache on KSUA 91.5 FM and KSUARADIO.com.

Thursdays, 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM AKST

Events will also be listed after the show in Instagram @apeculiarpush and @jamekalachemogul

Other events happening this summer: