Dispatch

DISPATCH Peninsula Clarion A picture perfect day greeted the 19th Kenai River Festival and the community responded with record breaking attendance and Run for the River numbers. According to Josselyn O'Connor of the Kenai Watershed Forum, the organization that coordinates the Festival, she counted over 3,000 Saturday alone plus a record 225 entries in the Run for the River, making conservative estimates of over 5,000 visitors to the two day event. Molly Watkins successfully defended her title in the Women's 5K for the third year in a row. (For complete Run for the River results visit www.kenaiwatershed.org. The Kenai Watershed Forum (KWF) stepped up as organizers of the event some 10 years ago and it has grown every year since returning to its original staging site along the Kenai River in Soldotna three years ago. The Kenai River Festival is a festival unlike any other in the state of Alaska. "It's a time to reflect on the importance of the Kenai River in our lives; to celebrate its great recreational, economic and educational opportunities; to learn how we can take care of the River; and understand our part in the survival of the Kenai River," explained KWF Executive Director Robert Ruffner. "This event is centered around educating our children on the benefits of taking care of the Kenai River and our watershed. By incorporating inspirational and educational activities in a fun environment, we have fun and learn at the same time," he said.