This weekend’s Frozen RiverFest may offer a little pick-me-up from the midwinter doldrums.
Slated from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Soldotna Creek Park, the festival has become an annual happening that draws in the crowds.
Now in its fifth year, the social gathering not only serves as a way to spice up a cold day and night, but it also injects a nice financial stimulus into the local economy, event organizer Andrew Heuiser said.
“The whole idea is to honestly create a unique Alaskan event and get people out in the dead of winter when not a whole lot is going on,” Heuiser said. “It draws Anchorage people here, with is a nice stimulation for local businesses.”
Heuiser, the events and programs director at the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce, said Saturday’s Riverfest will feature a variety of attractions, most notably the music, bonfire and beer garden.
The beer garden will offer an expansive list of 18 Alaskan breweries, including peninsula favorites St. Elias Brewing, Kenai River Brewing Company, Homer Brewing, Kassik’s Brewery, Bear Creek Winery, Grace Ridge Brewing and Cooper Landing Brewing Company.
The menu also includes popular businesses from off the peninsula, including HooDoo Brewing Company, Midnight Sun, Broken Tooth, Alaska Ciderworks, Alaskan Brewing, Matanuska Brewing, 49th State Brewing, Bearpaw River Brewing, King Street, Denali Brewing and Bleeding Heart Brewery.
“It’ll be a good representation of the peninsula,” Heuiser said. “It’ll be a good reach.”
The beverage selection will also be paired with a variety of food vendors, including the popular Hot Dogs a la Carte, Wisconsin Cheese Curds and Wok ‘n Roll selections.
Another attraction will be the live music, which will be split between two groups, starting with the Mabrey Brothers for about two hours and finishing with Conway Seavey featuring Queen Solomon.
Heuiser said he believes the mix of classic rock covers by the Mabrey Brothers, followed by the pop mixing featured by Conway Seavey, should please the whole crowd.
The night will finally wrap up with a fireworks show, which Heuiser said will begin just before 8 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased at the gate or at visitsoldotna.com. Entry is $20 for ages 21 and older, with three tokens for drinks. The event is free for those not drinking. Ticket purchases also come with a free tasting mug.
Ultimately, Heuiser said the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce is expecting a fun time for all.
“This is about bringing people together for a good event,” he said.
