Events

Rayna Reynolds tends to her cow at the 4-H Agriculture Expo in Soldotna, Alaska on Aug. 5, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

4-H Agriculture Expo set for Aug. 4-6

The annual expo is a weekend to focus on agriculture and 4-H in the community and in Alaska

Rayna Reynolds tends to her cow at the 4-H Agriculture Expo in Soldotna, Alaska on Aug. 5, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Owen McWilliams hangs tightly onto a mechanical salmon at the Progress Days Fair at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska on Saturday, July 22, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Owen McWilliams hangs tightly onto a mechanical salmon at the Progress Days Fair at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska on Saturday, July 22, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Performers takes the stage in Ninilchik, Alaska, on Friday, August 5, 2022, for Salmonfest, an annual event that raises awareness about salmon-related causes. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Local, national talent ready for Salmonfest

Represented among the talent are local acts like Blackwater Railroad Company, Medium Build and the Hope Social Club

Performers takes the stage in Ninilchik, Alaska, on Friday, August 5, 2022, for Salmonfest, an annual event that raises awareness about salmon-related causes. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Environmental Education and Visitor Services Intern Meredith Baker helps Blake Voss, 3, paint during Fish Week at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, July 18, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion file)

A fishy week of events at the refuge

Hands-on activities for kids will be available at the center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day through Saturday

Environmental Education and Visitor Services Intern Meredith Baker helps Blake Voss, 3, paint during Fish Week at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, July 18, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion file)
Promotional poster for 66th Annual Progress Days in Soldotna. (Photo courtesy Soldotna Chamber of Commerce)

Progress Days brings packed schedule of attractions, contests to Soldotna

Soldotna will celebrate the 66th Annual Progress Days next weekend with a fair, a parade and other festivities stretching from Friday to Sunday, July 21… Continue reading

Promotional poster for 66th Annual Progress Days in Soldotna. (Photo courtesy Soldotna Chamber of Commerce)
Players for the American Legion Twins smile and wave as the Fourth of July Parade moves down South Willow Street in Kenai, Alaska on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Photo feature: Parade, candy, festivities ring in Fourth of July

The Fourth of July Parade again proceeded through Kenai on Tuesday, featuring dozens of businesses and other entities waving hands, waving flags and throwing candy.… Continue reading

Players for the American Legion Twins smile and wave as the Fourth of July Parade moves down South Willow Street in Kenai, Alaska on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Food Bank Administrative Assistant Claire Jones and Donations and Communications Manager Lilly Murray stand with Soldotna Vice Mayor Lisa Parker as they fundraise for the King of the River Food Drive at the Wednesday Market in Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 28, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai-Soldotna rivalry central to new food bank fundraiser

The latest fundraiser for the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank pits the cities of Kenai and Soldotna against one another in a friendly competition to donate… Continue reading

Kenai Peninsula Food Bank Administrative Assistant Claire Jones and Donations and Communications Manager Lilly Murray stand with Soldotna Vice Mayor Lisa Parker as they fundraise for the King of the River Food Drive at the Wednesday Market in Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 28, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Muddy runners move down the Tsalteshi Trails’ Porcupine Loop in Soldotna, Alaska, as they participate in the KDLL Mud Run on Friday, June 16, 2023. (Photo provided by KDLL 91.9 FM)

Becoming ‘one with the mud’

Runners get dirty in support of public radio

Muddy runners move down the Tsalteshi Trails’ Porcupine Loop in Soldotna, Alaska, as they participate in the KDLL Mud Run on Friday, June 16, 2023. (Photo provided by KDLL 91.9 FM)
Sarah Chesser works a Nikiski Fire Department hose during Family Fun in the Midnight Sun on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at the Nikiski Community Recreation Center in Nikiski, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Families enjoy Nikiski community event

Family Fun in the Midnight Sun is hosted by the North Peninsula Recreation Service Area

Sarah Chesser works a Nikiski Fire Department hose during Family Fun in the Midnight Sun on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at the Nikiski Community Recreation Center in Nikiski, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Connie Brannock’s Tiny House of Funk. (Photo provided by Seldovia Arts Council)

‘Unchained’ and drumming in Alaska

Connie Brannock’s Tiny House of Funk seeks to “extend joy through music” at Soldotna Creek Park

Connie Brannock’s Tiny House of Funk. (Photo provided by Seldovia Arts Council)
A Kenai Peninsula Food Bank truck in the Food Bank parking lot on Aug. 4, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Food bank to host spring fest Friday

This year’s Spring Festival will be the largest the organization has put on — with 15 booths set to offer services

A Kenai Peninsula Food Bank truck in the Food Bank parking lot on Aug. 4, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Ellie and Elias Ritter run Squeeze the Day in front of Odie’s Deli in Soldotna, Alaska, on Lemonade Day, Saturday, June 10, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kids serve up lemonade in annual entrepreneurial event

The event was organized by the Soldotna and Kenai Chambers of Commerce

Ellie and Elias Ritter run Squeeze the Day in front of Odie’s Deli in Soldotna, Alaska, on Lemonade Day, Saturday, June 10, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A plane operated by LifeMed Alaska is displayed at the Kenai Peninsula Air Fair on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at the Kenai Municipal Airport in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

In the pilot’s seat

Air fair offers public opportunity to tour planes, helicopters

A plane operated by LifeMed Alaska is displayed at the Kenai Peninsula Air Fair on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at the Kenai Municipal Airport in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Children receive free face-painting during the Kenai River Festival on Friday, June 9, 2023, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai River Festival fills park with education, music, vendors

The Kenai River Festival is the biggest event the Kenai Watershed Forum puts on each year

Children receive free face-painting during the Kenai River Festival on Friday, June 9, 2023, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Hundreds gather for the first week of the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna music series kicks off with crowds, colors and sunshine

A color run took off ahead of performances by Blackwater Railroad Company and BenJammin The Jammin Band

Hundreds gather for the first week of the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Judges Peter Micciche, Terry Eubank and Tyler Best sample a salmon dish prepared by chef Stephen Lamm of the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank at Return of the Reds on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at the Kenai City Dock in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai celebrates ‘Return of the Reds’ in food bank fundraiser

Chefs competed for best salmon recipe; fresh-caught fish auctioned

Judges Peter Micciche, Terry Eubank and Tyler Best sample a salmon dish prepared by chef Stephen Lamm of the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank at Return of the Reds on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at the Kenai City Dock in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
People gather in Ninilchik, Alaska, on Friday, August 5, 2022 for Salmonfest, an annual event that raises awareness about salmon-related causes. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Blues, brass, Cajun and local acts to perform at ‘eclectic’ Ninilchik festival

Salmonfest headliners include Old Crow Medicine Show, Sierra Ferrell, Leftover Salmon, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Jackie Venson, The Burroughs and the High Hawks

People gather in Ninilchik, Alaska, on Friday, August 5, 2022 for Salmonfest, an annual event that raises awareness about salmon-related causes. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Cam Choy, associate professor of art at Kenai Peninsula College, works on a salmon sculpture in collaboration with the Kenai Watershed Forum during the Kenai River Festival at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on June 8, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)

Kenai River Festival to bring education, music to Soldotna Creek Park

The festival will run 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday

Cam Choy, associate professor of art at Kenai Peninsula College, works on a salmon sculpture in collaboration with the Kenai Watershed Forum during the Kenai River Festival at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on June 8, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)
Poster for Return of the Reds. (Photo courtesy Kenai Peninsula Food Bank)
Poster for Return of the Reds. (Photo courtesy Kenai Peninsula Food Bank)

Return of the Reds returns after several-year hiatus

The Kenai event celebrates the start of the 2023 salmon season

Poster for Return of the Reds. (Photo courtesy Kenai Peninsula Food Bank)
Poster for Return of the Reds. (Photo courtesy Kenai Peninsula Food Bank)
Children work together to land a rainbow trout at the Kenai Peninsula Sport, Rec & Trade Show on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Sports show to run through Sunday

Fishing, horse riding and local wares all on display

Children work together to land a rainbow trout at the Kenai Peninsula Sport, Rec & Trade Show on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)