Best Bets

■ Celebrate Independence Day in Kenai. The theme of the day’s festivities is “Honoring Our Hometown Heroes.” The parade steps off at 11 a.m., with the route following Fidalgo Avenue to Willow Street to the Kenai Spur Highway, ending at the green strip on Main Street Loop. The Midway opens on the green strip from noon-4 p.m., with a carnival, vendors, and a beer garden sponsored by Kassik’s Brewery.

Events and Exhibits

■ Kenai Performers present “Someone Save My Baby Ruth or, Foil that Villain,” a melodrama by Billy St. John, directed by Terri Burdick, on July 4, as part of the City of Kenai’s Fourth of July celebration. Two shows: 1 and 3 p.m., under a large tent on the Kenai Green Strip. Tickets are $12 general admittance and $10 for Seniors/Students, available for purchase at River City Books in Soldotna, Charlotte’s in Kenai, and at the door. Produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service, Inc., Englewood, Colorado.

■ Stop by Soldotna Creek Park every Wednesday at 6 p.m. for a new Music in the Park series. This free “Live after Five” series will also include extended hours for the Wednesday Market so you won’t miss out on local food, vendors, craft beer and some fantastic local musicians. Bring a blanket and enjoy our new park with the entire family. For a full schedule visit www.visitsoldotna.com.

■ Kenai River Council on the Arts and The Peninsula Art Guild are inviting artists to apply for month long Exhibitions in Calendar Years 2016 and 2017 at the Kenai Fine Arts Center in Old Town Kenai. Artists applying for solo, shared or group shows, please provide the following:

— Up to 12 labeled images (digital, slide, and or print) representative of recent work, with 3-D artists providing additional views of art works as needed.

— A separate image sheet, including title of piece, media, dimensions and when the piece was made.

— A proposal for your show (could include floor plan if needed). If you have a theme you are aiming for, this would be the place for that.

— A one-page Artist Statement.

Submit entries by mailing to: Peninsula Art Guild/Kenai River Arts Council, P.O. Box 703, Kenai, AK 99611; by email to ourkfac@gmail.com; or drop off at the Kenai Fine Arts Center, 816 Cook Avenue, Old Town Kenai.

■ The Kenai Performers will host two drama camps this summer. The first camp, for ages 8-12, is under way, with a show on July 11 at 2 p.m. Camp for ages 13-17 runs July 6-16, 1-4 p.m., with a show on July 17 at 7 p.m. Both camps are being held at the old Peninsula Athletic Club (in the same building as Subway) on Kalifornsky Beach Road. The cost is $299 per student, with a maximum of 20 children in each camp. To register, call Sally Cassano at 394-8104 or Terri Burdick at 262-5486.

■ Triumvirate Theatre will be holding its annual drama camps this year at the Soldotna Public Library. The next camp runs July 6-18. Camp is from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. daily. To register, go to triumviratetheatre.org. Scholarships are available. For more information email hereliesdrama@hotmail.com.

Entertainment

■ Veronica’s in Old Town Kenai has open mic on Thursday from 6-8 p.m., and live music with Mike Morgan on Friday from 7-10 p.m.

■ The Alaska Roadhouse Bar and Grill hosts a blind draw Horseshoe Tournament every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Blind draw, double elimination, food ,fun and cash prizes. Call 907-262-9887 for more information.

■ Beginning square dance classes will be held on Tuesday nights at 6:30 p.m. at the Sterling Senior Center. Classes are open to participants of all ages. For more information, call Theresa Lusby at 360-790-1757, or the Sterling Senior Center at 907-262-6808.

■ Beginning square dance classes will be held on Thursdays at 4 p.m. at the Kenai Senior Center. Classes are open to participants ages 10 and up. For more information, call Theresa Lusby at 360-790-1757, or the Kenai Senior Center at 907-283-8211.

■ The Corner Cafe in the Blazy Mall in Soldotna has open mic night for all writers, storytellers and poets on the third Wednesday of each month from 7-9 p.m.

■ A bluegrass jam takes place on the first Sunday of the month at from 1-4 p.m. at the Mount Redoubt Baptist Church on South Lovers Loop in Nikiski.

■ The Flats Bistro on Kalifornsky Beach Road has live music with Garrett Mayer on Tuesdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and Raymond Machen-Gray on Mondays from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

■ An all acoustic jam takes place every Thursday. The jam is at Christ Lutheran Church in Soldotna on the first Thursday of the month, and at the Kenai Senior Center during the rest of the month. Jam starts at 6:30 p.m.

■ AMVETS Post 4 is open to all military veterans and their families for support and camaraderie. Join us for Friday night tacos, or Saturday night steaks with Karaoke. Sunday afternoon it’s super hamburgers. Not a member? Stop by and we can show you how to become a part of this special veteran’s organization. AMVETS is located in the Red Diamond Center next door to IDEA Schools.

■ Sharpen your dart skills with a fun tournament every Sunday during the season at the AmVets in the Red Diamond Center. The number of players will determine the game. Sign up begins at 1 p.m. For more information call 262-3540.

■ Odie’s Deli in Soldotna has live music Friday from 6-8 p.m. and Pub Quiz night every Wednesday from 6-8 p.m.

■ The Bow bar in Kenai has karaoke at 9 p.m. Thursdays and live music Fridays, Saturdays at 10 p.m.

■ Hooligans Saloon in Soldotna has poker Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 5:30 p.m. and live music Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.

■ The Duck Inn on Kalifornsky Beach Road has karaoke at 9 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and DJ Arisen on Saturdays.

■ Mykel’s in Soldotna has live music Fridays and Saturdays from 6:30-9:30 p.m. with Bob Ramponi and Dave Unruh.

■ The Duck Inn will have live music from 7-10 p.m. every Wednesday with Robb Justice and Trio.

■ The Pinochle Club, formerly from Kasilof, plays at Hooligans Bar & Restaurant in Soldotna Saturdays at 12:30 p.m. Questions? Call Jay Vienup at 907-252-6397.

■ The Soldotna library hosts a board game night on Tuesdays from 5 p.m.-7:45 p.m. in the conference rooms, 235 N. Binkley Street. It’s time to get your game on! Have you ever wanted to try something other than another round of Monopoly, or to break out of that old Scrabble routine? Come ready to meet new people, engage your imagination, and have a great time.

Markets, fairs and bazaars

■ The Sterling Senior Center will hold a flea market Fridays through August 28. Participants can rent space for $10 a day. Renters must provide their own tables. To rent a space call Michelle at the Center at 262-6808.

■ The Central Kenai Peninsula Farmer’s Market is open each Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m until mid-September at the corner of Corral Street and the Kenai Spur Highway at the bus turnaround. The market features only Alaskan Grown and Alaska Made products and includes fresh baked goods, jams, jellies, fresh vegetables and hand made gift items. New vendors are welcome. For more information, call Carolyn at 262-7502.

■ The Farmers Fresh Market is open Tuesdays from 3-6 p.m. until September in Kenai Peninsula Food Bank parking lot, at the corner of Kalifornsky Beach Road and Community College Drive. The only all-food market in the central peninsula benefits the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank. Call 907-260-5295.

Films

■ Call Orca Theaters at 262-7003 for listings and times.

■ Call Kambe Cinemas at 283-4554 for listings and times.

Down the Road

■ The Pratt Museum in Homer is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information and a schedule of events, visit www.prattmuseum.org.

Submissions may be emailed to news@peninsulaclarion.com. The deadline is 5 p.m. Mondays.