Alongside the rushing turquoise waters of the Kenai River, the folksy harmonies of Denali Cooks mingled with drizzling rain at Soldotna Creek Park on Friday night for the first day of a weekend-long celebration of the river and its watershed.

The Kenai River Festival, sponsored by the Kenai Watershed Forum, returns this weekend for the first time since 2019. The event was suspended in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19.

The festival, which runs through Sunday, features live music, food booths, a wine and beer garden, a “Kids Zone” and the “Run for the River” race event.

Registration for the race is 8 a.m. Saturday, with the 10-mile race kicking off at 8:30 a.m. and with the 5K race kicking off at 9 a.m.

Saturday festival activities will take place from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday festival activities will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

More information about this year’s festival can be found on the forum’s website at kenaiwatershed.org/community-outreach/kenai-river-festival/.

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

Denali Cooks performs at the 2022 Kenai River Festival on Friday, June 10, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Signage indicates the beginning of the Soldotna River Walk on Friday, June 10, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai River Festival attendees order from food trucks on Friday, June 10, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Larry Zarella, left, and Danielle Aslanian of Denali Cooks performs at the 2022 Kenai River Festival at Soldotna Creek Park on Friday, June 10, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)