Santa Claus lights up the Christmas tree in front of an audience Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, at the Christmas in the Park Celebration at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

Santa Claus lights up the Christmas tree in front of an audience Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, at the Christmas in the Park Celebration at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai and Soldotna adapt winter activities to COVID-19

Modifications will be made in response to growing COVID-19 case numbers

Familiar winter festivities will return to Kenai and Soldotna this year, but with some modifications in response to growing COVID-19 case numbers on the peninsula and across the state.

In Kenai, adjustments are being made to the annual Christmas Comes to Kenai event, which will take place on Nov. 27 at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center. During a normal year, photos with Santa Claus would be hosted at the Kenai Visitor Center, however, the building is closed to the public through the end of the month. As a result, photos with Santa have been canceled.

All other activities will take place outdoors. This includes Santa arriving in Kenai on a fire truck at 5:30 p.m., the Kenai Performing Arts carolers at 5:30 p.m., the bonfire and electric lights parade at 6 p.m. and a fireworks display at 7 p.m.

Brittany Brown, executive director of the Kenai Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center, said Tuesday that chamber staff will have masks available outdoors and will be encouraging groups to maintain 6 feet of distance between them.

“This is a wonderful event that can be done in a safe manner and we look forward to having the community participate to a level at which they are comfortable,” Brown said via email.

In Soldotna, Christmas in the Park has been canceled and will be replaced with an alternative event that is COVID-19 friendly. Soldotna Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shanon Davis said Tuesday that the chamber applied for and received a $5,000 “Bridge Grant” from the Levitt Foundation “to do something for the community to brighten spirits during this challenging time.”

The Soldotna Shines Holiday Celebration will be held on Friday, Dec. 18 and will begin at 6 p.m. in the parking lot of the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex. The drive-in event will feature drive-thru hot chocolate, sing-along carols over the radio and a drive-by appearance of Santa on a fire truck. The event will end at 7 p.m. with a fireworks display.

In Seward, plans continue for a Shop Small Weekend event scheduled for Nov. 27-30. According to Kat Sorensen, the communications director for the Seward Chamber of Commerce, the online component of the event is what they are focusing on.

The online component, called “Cyber Monday,” will see an auctioneer showcasing sale items via a Facebook Live stream. Shoppers will be able to claim the product at the set price and the Seward Chamber of Commerce will then collect payment from them.

“We want people to have the chance to shop local this holiday season while staying safe,” Sorensen said Tuesday via email.

Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.

Correction: An earlier version of this article stated that the Soldotna Shines Holiday Celebration will take place on Dec. 16. The event will take place on Dec. 18.

More in News

Rep. Justin Ruffridge, a Soldotna Republican who co-chairs the House Education Committee, speaks in favor overriding a veto of Senate Bill 140 during floor debate of a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature on Monday. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)
By 1 vote, lawmakers sustain Dunleavy veto of education bill

The bipartisan bill included $680 increase to per-student funding

The Sterling Highway crosses the Kenai River near the Russian River Campground on March 15, 2020, near Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Russian River Campground closed for construction

The campground is expected to reopen on June 2

A man fishes in the Kenai River on July 16, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion/file)
Fish and Game announces series of closures and restrictions for king salmon fisheries

Cook Inlet king salmon stocks are experiencing a prolonged period of poor productivity, the department said

Montessori materials sit on shelves in a classroom at Soldotna Montessori Charter School on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Education debate draws state attention to peninsula charter schools

Dunleavy would like to see a shift of authority over charter school approvals from local school districts to the state

The Nikiski Senior Center stands under sunlight in Nikiski, Alaska, on Thursday, March 14, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Support available for community caregivers

Nikiski Senior Center hosts relaunched Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program

Flags flank the entrance to Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s office on Thursday, March 14, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Dunleavy vetoes bipartisan education bill

Senate Bill 140 passed the House by a vote of 38-2 and the Senate by a vote of 18-1 last month

The Alaska State Capitol on Friday, March 1, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
House passes bill altering wording of sex crimes against children

The bill is sponsored by Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer

Ben Meyer and Brandon Drzazgowski present to the Soldotna and Kenai Chambers of Commerce at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Watershed Forum gives update on streambank restoration

The watershed forum and other organizations are working to repair habitat and mitigate erosion

The entrance to the Kenai Police Department, as seen in Kenai, Alaska, on April 1, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai resident arrested on charges of arson

Kenai Police and Kenai Fire Department responded to a structure fire near Mountain View Elementary

Most Read