Progress Days, the annual celebration of Soldotna’s development and accomplishments, filled the streets with revelry for the 68th year on Saturday.
The traditional parade brought out fire trucks, horses, politicians, businesses and candy along its usual route — starting at Soldotna High School and moving up Marydale Avenue before turning down Binkley Street.
The annual event is organized by the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce and stretches far beyond the parade — to a block party held immediately after and other events around the city all weekend.
“What’s fun about Progress Days is having the entire community together in an event that’s focused on Soldotna,” chamber executive director Heidi Sorrell said Saturday. “It’s amazing to see everybody come together and everybody pull a little bit of weight to have one event that kids, families and everybody can come to enjoy themselves.”
This year, the parade theme was “Homegrown Happiness.” The Soldotna Rodeo, the Kenai Peninsula Racing Lions, Century 21 Realty, Heritage Place, Aspen Creek Senior Living, the Soldotna Public Library, Central Emergency Services and more were represented. The parade also featured the first Kenai Peninsula campaign appearance of a 2026 Alaska gubernatorial candidate, as Matt Heilala, R-Anchorage, shook hands and threw candy — introducing himself first as a 1988 Soldotna High School graduate.
Sorrell said that, across all the parade participants, many of the facets of Soldotna were showcased. Each represented “their own corner” of the city, and each plays a part in making Soldotna what it is.
“It feels so hometown,” she said.
Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.
Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche drives up Marydale Avenue during the 68th Annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, throws candy during the 68th Annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Horseriders from the Soldotna Rodeo trot up Marydale Avenue during the 68th Annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A large contingent of people representing Heritage Place flood Marydale Avenue with the color purple during the 68th Annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Forever Dance Alaska performers dance their way up Marydale Avenue during the 68th Annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Two Miss Alaska winners and Miss Louisiana wave at children during the 68th Annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Staff from the Soldotna Public Library push book carts during the 68th Annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Matt Heilala, a 2026 Alaska gubernatorial candidate and 1988 Soldotna High School graduate, shakes hands during the 68th Annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Jason Criss, a Soldotna athlete who is set to compete in Minnesota next year for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, walks with Central Peninsula Special Olympics during the 68th Annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Jason Criss, a Soldotna athlete who is set to compete in Minnesota next year for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, walks with Central Peninsula Special Olympics during the 68th Annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
