Whenever you call the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce you always know that, "It's a great day in Soldotna," because that's the way, rain or shine, sleet, snow or hail, Kim Mariman, Visitor Service manager, always answers the phone.

However, the greatest of the great days this year in Soldotna just may have been the 41st Annual Progress Days Parade, "A 2001 Fish Odyssey." And highlighting the new events of the Progress Days celebration was the 1st annual Weenie Dog races. This year's first place title of the "Fastest Weenie in Alaska" went to an out of town weenie dog by the name of Jax, owned by Dewey from Anchorage.

Race officials were a little uncertain as to whether a weenie by the name of Symantha took second or third place, but what everyone was sure of was that the races were a great addition to a great day and that there will be weenie races again next year. Organized by Diane Feldon, the Weenies on Parade entry, featuring 50 some various weenies, won 1st place in the Adult entry category.

The Grand Overall award went to the Soldotna Senior Center and the Skyview Cheerleaders won the best of parade in the Youth Marching Group category. Other winners included the American Legion, Adult Marching Group, Soldotna Police Department, Organizational Float, Alaskan Hospitality Lodge, Commercial Float, Apostolic Assembly of God, Church Group, Cook Inlet Academy, Bicycle Group, Soldotna Equestrian, Horse Entry Group, and Gary Mitchell, Antique, Classic, and Sports Car category.

This year's parade also featured the Broadway Kids from Anchorage Community Theatre, who performed several classic Broadway numbers. "On behalf of the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce, we want to thank Unocal Oil & Gas for another year of financial support, Tesoro for use of their tent, Lyndon Transport for the parade stage, and everyone who contributed to the great success of this year's Progress Days Event," said Justin Poltzin, Soldotna Chamber of Commerce executive director.