Events

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion A girl dressed as Snow White takes candy from a witch at the Orca Theater’s Trunk or Treat in Soldotna during Halloween in 2022.

It’s getting to look a lot like Halloween

Kenai and Soldotna will soon be alive with fall fun, trick-or-treating and other seasonal celebrations

 

The basket catches fire on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025 at Mariner Park in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)

Homer ‘OPENS’ itself to annual Burning Basket project

This year’s basket was the 22nd to be created in Homer.

 

The beginning of this year's Burning Basket on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)

Burning Basket project returns for 22nd year in Homer

Build week will begin Sept. 1.

 

Kenai Peninsula District 4-H chickens are on display at the Kenai Peninsula Fair, Aug. 8-10, 2025, in Ninilchik, Alaska. Photo courtesy of Jack Money

Family fun at the fair

The Kenai Peninsula Fair was held last weekend in Ninilchik.

Kenai Peninsula District 4-H chickens are on display at the Kenai Peninsula Fair, Aug. 8-10, 2025, in Ninilchik, Alaska. Photo courtesy of Jack Money
Salmonfest-goers crowd in front of the Ocean Stage during Blackwater Railroad’s performance on Saturday, Aug. 2, at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Celebrating salmon, art and culture

Salmonfest was held in Ninilchik last weekend, featuring music, community and advocacy.

Salmonfest-goers crowd in front of the Ocean Stage during Blackwater Railroad’s performance on Saturday, Aug. 2, at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Concert-goers listen to The Discopians at Concert on the Lawn on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Karen Hornaday Park in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

‘Dancing at the end of the world’

KBBI AM 890 hosted their annual Concert on the Lawn Saturday.

Concert-goers listen to The Discopians at Concert on the Lawn on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Karen Hornaday Park in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Volunteers scoop up ducks at the finish line during the annual Anchor River Duck Races on Saturday, July 5, in Anchor Point.

Locals win at 4th annual Anchor River duck races

The event is part of the Anchor Point VFW’s Fourth of July celebrations.

Volunteers scoop up ducks at the finish line during the annual Anchor River Duck Races on Saturday, July 5, in Anchor Point.
A variety of peony blooms grow vibrantly on Pioneer Avenue on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

6th annual Peony Celebration begins July 1

The festival will run in Homer through Aug. 17.

A variety of peony blooms grow vibrantly on Pioneer Avenue on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
A line of antique cars proceeds down Pioneer Avenue during the Fourth of July parade on Thursday, July 4, 2024, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Lower peninsula gears up for 4th of July

Events are scheduled July 4-6 in Homer, Anchor Point and Ninilchik.

A line of antique cars proceeds down Pioneer Avenue during the Fourth of July parade on Thursday, July 4, 2024, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Kyra Wagner teaches a compost-making class last fall at the Kachemak Bay Campus high tunnel. Wagner will teach another class on composting Saturday, April 26, at 4:30 p.m. in conjunction with the free Southcentral Growers Conference. (Photo courtesy of Jill Burnham, Kachemak Bay Campus - Kenai Peninsula College)

Info, education on local agriculture to be featured at Southcentral Growers Conference

The two-day conference begins on April 25 at Kachemak Bay Campus.

Kyra Wagner teaches a compost-making class last fall at the Kachemak Bay Campus high tunnel. Wagner will teach another class on composting Saturday, April 26, at 4:30 p.m. in conjunction with the free Southcentral Growers Conference. (Photo courtesy of Jill Burnham, Kachemak Bay Campus - Kenai Peninsula College)
John Raymond accepts his tenth place trophy during the 2025 Homer Winter King Salmon Tournament on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the Deep Water Dock on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Weimann wins fishing tournament championship

The 31st annual Homer Winter King Tournament saw high turnout Saturday.

John Raymond accepts his tenth place trophy during the 2025 Homer Winter King Salmon Tournament on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the Deep Water Dock on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
A child waves from the back of a truck as the 32nd annual Sweeney’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade proceeds down Fireweed Street in Soldotna, Alaska on Friday, March 17, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

St. Patrick’s Day Parade set for Monday

The parade will line up on Park Avenue by Parker Park.

A child waves from the back of a truck as the 32nd annual Sweeney’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade proceeds down Fireweed Street in Soldotna, Alaska on Friday, March 17, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Chris Keithley, 2024 Homer Winter King Salmon Tournament champion, poses with his prize fish after the awards ceremony at the Deep Water Dock on the Spit in Homer, Alaska on Saturday, March 23, 2024. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Winter King Tournament scheduled for March 22

This year’s event will be held at the Deep Water Dock at 4667 Freight Dock Road.

Chris Keithley, 2024 Homer Winter King Salmon Tournament champion, poses with his prize fish after the awards ceremony at the Deep Water Dock on the Spit in Homer, Alaska on Saturday, March 23, 2024. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
The Ridgeway Rounders perform during Frozen RiverFest on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2023, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

10th Frozen RiverFest set for Saturday

The event will feature 19 breweries.

The Ridgeway Rounders perform during Frozen RiverFest on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2023, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Teague Vanek barbecues salmon during Industry Appreciation Day festivities at the Kenai softball greenstrip in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Industry Appreciation Day returns Saturday

Industry Appreciation Day, an annual celebration of a selection of local industries — oil and gas, commercial fishing, tourism and health care — will return… Continue reading

Teague Vanek barbecues salmon during Industry Appreciation Day festivities at the Kenai softball greenstrip in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Melanie Carpenter shows her overall grand champion steer, Napoleon, for auction during the Kenai Peninsula District 4-H Agriculture Expo in the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. The winning bid came in over $10,000. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

4-H Ag Expo auction draws eager bidders for award-winning animals raised by local youth

There were 48 total animals on the roster for Saturday’s auction

Melanie Carpenter shows her overall grand champion steer, Napoleon, for auction during the Kenai Peninsula District 4-H Agriculture Expo in the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. The winning bid came in over $10,000. (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)

Progress Days block party brings carnival games and contests to Parker Park

Children participated in a variety of carnival activities like a balloon pop, ring toss, high striker and plinko

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)
Forever Dance Alaska performers deliver a routine while walking with the 67th Annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade on Marydale Avenue in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Revels return to Soldotna streets for 67th Progress Days

Political campaigns, local businesses, athletes and more took the streets in a procession that lasted well over an hour

Forever Dance Alaska performers deliver a routine while walking with the 67th Annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade on Marydale Avenue in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Progress Days Parade proceeds down Marydale Lane in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 22, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna’s Progress Days returns with parade, block party and community events

A parade and fair will be held Saturday, July 27

The Progress Days Parade proceeds down Marydale Lane in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 22, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Dillon Diering and Sarah Overholt dance while the Tyson James Band performs during the 45th Annual Moose Pass Summer Solstice Festival in Moose Pass, Alaska, on Saturday, June 15, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘We’re about community’

Moose Pass throws 45th annual Summer Solstice Festival

Dillon Diering and Sarah Overholt dance while the Tyson James Band performs during the 45th Annual Moose Pass Summer Solstice Festival in Moose Pass, Alaska, on Saturday, June 15, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)