The 67th Annual Soldotna Progress Days celebration looked a little different this year, reimagined as a block party celebration at Parker Park.
Though the setting was changed, many of the attractions were familiar. Children participated in a variety of carnival activities like a balloon pop, ring toss, high striker and plinko. There were pony rides, a cake walk, and a slate of contests for look-a-likes, pie eating and beards.
Festivities filled the parking lot in front of the park, near the Soldotna Senior Center, and stretched up into the park space itself, where a stage set up for hosting the contests.
As hundreds milled about the space, visiting with vendors or taking part in the festivities, the longest line in the park reliably led to the hot dogs being grilled up and served for free by City of Soldotna representatives like Mayor Paul Whitney, Vice Mayor Lisa Parker and city council member Jordan Chilson.
Perhaps the most intense competition seen at Parker Park on Saturday was the returning Diaper Derby, which challenged young infants to race to the arms of their waiting parents. Crawling was the only mode of travel, host Sara Hondel of the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce said. Any children who suddenly took their first steps would be congratulated, but ultimately disqualified.
It was 10-month-old Tenzing Thiemann who won it all. In the derby’s second heat, Thiemann needed a couple minutes to warm up, but in the title race seized victory in a matter of seconds.
Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.
Children ride ponies during the Progress Days Block Party at Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Children fish for ducks during the Progress Days Block Party at Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Children participate in a balloon pop during the Progress Days Block Party at Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Chamber of Commerce Tourism & Education Manager Sara Hondel makes announcements during the Progress Days Block Party at Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Children and parents mull their options while redeeming tickets during the Progress Days Block Party at Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
City of Soldotna representatives grill dozens of free hot dogs during the Progress Days Block Party at Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Tenzing Thiemann, 10-months-old, races forward to claim the Diaper Derby title during the Progress Days Block Party at Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Children participate in a ring toss during the Progress Days Block Party at Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
