Christmas coming to Kenai

Santa Claus is coming to Kenai, and he’s bringing the rest of Christmas along with him.

This Friday, the Kenai Chamber of Commerce invites the community to make a leftover turkey sandwich and enjoy a day of holiday cheer throughout Kenai.

The day starts at 10 a.m. with the Kenai Fine Arts Guild Arts and Craft fair at Kenai Central High School. The school will be filled with local crafts, for those who want to get their holiday shopping done early and food vendors, for those who can’t stomach another bite of mashed potatoes. The fair will be open until 5 p.m., and will open again on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

At 11 a.m. on Friday, Santa Claus is expected to take time out of his busy schedule to talk with children and hear their holiday wishes.

“I do know for a fact he’ll be here,” said Kenai City Council member and long-time friend of Santa Claus Tim Navarre. “I believe he’s coming in on a fire truck.”

Santa Claus, who will be riding in on a Kenai fire truck with his “jolly elves,” is available for photos and will have candy canes and grab bags for the kids. The photos will be printed and available for pick-up at a later date.

“It’s nice that Santa Claus can come by and see all the kids,” Navarre said. “This is going on 40, 50 years that Santa Claus has been coming to Kenai. … I always like to thank the fire department for bringing Santa to town.”

After Santa Claus has heard the wishes of the community children, he’ll take a break to warm up until the Electric Lights Parade starts at 6 p.m.

The parade starts at Spur View Road and travels along Frontage Road to the Kenai Chamber Cabin parking lot, where a bonfire and hot chocolate will be waiting.

The city will cap the festivities with the Grand Finale Fireworks at 7 p.m., which are sponsored by Weaver Bros. Inc., Doyle’s Fuel Service and the city of Kenai.

“It’s a great event for the community,” Navarre said.

Reach Kat Sorensen at kat.sorensen@ peninsulaclarion.com.