Kalifornsky Beach Elementary School’s first grade class marchs in the Soldotna St. Patrick’s Day parade along the Kenai Spur Highway on Saturday. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kalifornsky Beach Elementary School’s first grade class marchs in the Soldotna St. Patrick’s Day parade along the Kenai Spur Highway on Saturday. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

St. Patrick’s Day parade, Taste of the Kenai canceled

The events were canceled due to concerns about the new coronavirus.

Soldotna’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the Taste of the Kenai have been canceled due to concerns over the new coronavirus.

The Soldotna Chamber issued a press release announcing the cancellation of 29th annual Sweeney’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.

“On behalf of the Soldotna Chamber, we want to thank our sponsors, participants, volunteers, and patrons for their support of the parade and this decision,” Soldotna Chamber Director Shanon Davis said in the release. “Mr. Sweeney and the Board and staff of the Chamber agree, no public gathering takes priority over the health of anyone attending.”

Next year will be the 30th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration in Soldotna. The Soldotna Chamber and Mr. Sweeney are planning “an extra special anniversary celebration for the community.”

Taste of the Kenai, which was scheduled for March 28, announced via their Facebook page they would be postponing their event.

“We will be contacting all ticket holders and attendees as well as donors and sponsors early next week with the next steps,” the announcement said.

The organization is looking for a new date, the announcement said.

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