Final Wednesday in the park

Final Wednesday in the park

The Kenai Peninsula had more beautiful days this summer than anyone can remember, but Mother Nature chose one of the most perfect of those many days to close the Wednesday Market and free concert series at Soldotna Creek Park. Some 1,500 people turned out to shop, eat, sit, play, dance and enjoy their favorite craft beer from Kenai River Brewery. The Wednesday Market in the Park was created by the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce under the direction of Tami Murray in cooperation with the City of Soldotna Parks & Rec. department. “We couldn’t be happier with the turn out tonight and the success of the market over the last two years,” Murray said in an interview with the Dispatch during the final free concert, “A lot of folks work hard to make this happen to support our local business community. Parks & Rec. have been great to work with and all the bands that come out here. We do pay them, but we don’t have a lot to pay them, but we’re giving them a place to play for the people who come out to enjoy the free concert. We couldn’t be happier,” said Murray.

One of the bands “Lost Smoke” came down from Talkeetna to play on the closing evening. According to Murray they were scheduled earlier in the summer, but they were stopped by the fire that closed the road and had to reschedule, “Yeah, I guess Lost Smoke ran into too much smoke to make it down,” she laughed, “But we were happy to have them make it on such a perfect night.” Soldotna Creek Park has been transformed from a former DOT equipment parking lot into the fairest of outdoor locations for visitors and community members to enjoy the splendor of the River City, “What I find amazing and rewarding is the demographics of the folks we see here, from the great grandparents to the grandparents, parents and little kids are here. The popular beer garden is packed, but there are hundreds outside the garden dancing and having a great family time as well. People had set up their chairs and blankets waiting for the music to start long before the musicians even arrived just enjoying the day. It brings a lot of folks from outside the city as well to enjoy what is so close to their own back yard and do their shopping while in town,” added Murray while enjoying a fried pickle. “We’re already looking forward to next year, but we’ll have some other things happening in the park this winter when we begin our movies in the park series. That’s always a lot of fun and has become very popular,” said Murray. To find out the movie and event schedule when it’s finalized log on to the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce website.

Final Wednesday in the park
Final Wednesday in the park
Final Wednesday in the park

More in News

tease
Voznesenka School graduates 4

A commencement ceremony was held at Land’s End on Monday.

Graduates celebrate at the end of the Kenai Central High School commencement ceremony in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
‘Fight as the generation who will stand tall’

Kenai Central High School graduates 113.

Guest speaker Donica Nash gave out candy matching each student, including this package of JOYRIDE to Gideon Pankratz, at the River City Academy graduation ceremony Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at Skyview Middle School just outside of Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
River City Academy graduates 9

The school serves students in seventh through 12th grade and has an enrollment of about 80

Nikiski graduates view their slideshow during a commencement ceremony at Nikiski/Middle High School in Nikiski, Alaska, on Monday, May 19, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
‘We need to change the world’

Nikiski Middle/High School graduates 31 on Monday.

State Sen. Lyman Hoffman (D-Bethel) exits the Senate Chambers after the Senate on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, adjourns until next January. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Alaska Legislature adjourns a day early in ‘smoothest ending in 20 years’ following months of budget battles

Lawmakers speed through final votes on veto override on education funding bill, budget with $1,000 PFD.

The Homer Chamber of Commerce’s float in the Fourth of July parade on Thursday, July 4, 2024, celebrates their 75th anniversary in Homer, Alaska, in the spirit of the parade’s theme, “Historical Homer.” A measure that would have increased special event fees for those looking to host gatherings in city-maintained spaces was voted down during a May 12, 2025, meeting of the Homer City Council. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Rep. Andi Story (D-Juneau), Rep. Rebecca Himschoot (I-Sitka), and Rep. Sarah Vance (R-Homer) watch the vote tally during a veto override joint session on an education bill Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Education funding boost stands as lawmakers successfully override Dunleavy veto

Three of the peninsula’s legislators voted to override the veto.

Jeff Dolifka and his children perform the ceremonial ribbon-cutting for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Kenai Peninsula’s Royce and Melba Roberts Campus in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
‘So proud of what we accomplished’

New Boys and Girls Clubs campus dedicated Saturday with a ribbon-cutting and donor recognition.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters about his decision to veto an education funding bill earlier this session at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. He vetoed a second such bill on Monday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Dunleavy vetoes 2nd bill increasing education funding; override vote by legislators likely Tuesday

Bill passed by 48-11 vote — eight more than needed — but same count for override not certain.

Most Read