Kyle Olson pulls his darts from a board at the Elks Lodge in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kyle Olson pulls his darts from a board at the Elks Lodge in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Peninsula dart community experiences resurgence

13th Annual Cabin Fever Reliever Dart Tournament was hosted at the Elks Lodge in Kenai last weekend

At the Elks Lodge in Kenai last weekend, dozens gathered to compete in the 13th Annual Cabin Fever Reliever Dart Tournament. Organizers said the event is emblematic of a continued effort to build up the local dart community.

Tournament Director Jeff Olson said Saturday that nearly 50 people had competed in a single event the night before. He said the long-running event got its start in Cooper Landing, later moving into Kenai, but that its always been something of a kickoff to the year.

Well over a dozen dart boards were set up in the lodge’s open space on Saturday night — and even more competitors could be seen lining up their throws, pulling darts back out from boards, and recording their points.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

There are tournaments “just about every month in the winter,” said Aaron Holland, a long-time dart player, on Saturday. Beyond that, there are regularly scheduled opportunities to play darts at local bars six days of the week.

Olson said that, long ago, darts drew massive crowds of competitors — tournaments would rent out the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex with prize pools as high as $15,000. Those times were long ago, but Olson said in recent years more people have been getting into darts locally. He said the contemporary scene features a lot more, smaller events.

“We get more and more interest, everywhere we play,” Olson said. “We’re trying to build it up.”

Darts, Olson said, is a good opportunity for community recreation and connection — especially in the cold winter months. He said it gets people out of their homes, laughing and competing with one another.

Holland said a driving force in the local dart community is families coming out to participate together. He pointed to a man throwing darts on Saturday who had taught his kids — who were also competing that night.

Olson, similarly, brought his own son Kyle to the sport.

“I shot doubles with my son today. That was awesome,” Olson said. “We played a match today — we started against another father-son couple.”

For those interested in getting involved with darts — even if they haven’t played before — Olson said Saturday sessions, held weekly at 7 p.m. in the Kenai Elks Lodge are the best opportunity. Those nights are a blind draw where people will be partnered with another person with some experience. He said the space at the Elks is “family-oriented,” that people bring their kids, and that play often goes until midnight. Darts can be provided for folks who don’t already have their own set.

“You’re going to get to play and you’re going to get to play with somebody else,” he said. “You’ll get hooked.”

Holland said he got his start in darts at age 13, in a California ice cream parlor. Now he’s 63. He said he’s “not any good at it anymore,” but he still comes out to participate in the community.

“This has always been in my blood,” he said.

For more information about darts on the Central Kenai Peninsula, find “Kenai Dart Association” on Facebook.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.

Skyler Smith launches a dart at the Elks Lodge in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Skyler Smith launches a dart at the Elks Lodge in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Charlie Mathis, right, readies to loose a dart at the Elks Lodge in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Charlie Mathis, right, readies to loose a dart at the Elks Lodge in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Quinton Mathis readies to loose a dart at the Elks Lodge in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Quinton Mathis readies to loose a dart at the Elks Lodge in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Karl Schmidt readies to loose a dart at the Elks Lodge in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Karl Schmidt readies to loose a dart at the Elks Lodge in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

More in Life

Brewers from Turnagain Brewery hand a freshly filled cup to an attendee at the 10th Annual Frozen River Fest in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Frozen RiverFest marks 10 years celebrating brews

Breweries return to Soldotna Creek Park for 10

Jackson Hooper, Oshie Broussard, Belle Morris and Kincaid Jenness perform “Shakespeare Abridged” during the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Drama, Debate and Forensics Invitational at Soldotna High School on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
‘Theater for theater kids who want to take it a bit more seriously’

Peninsula students compete at Soldotna DDF invitational.

Creamy pasta is served with smoked salmon and Parmesan. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
A dish for the mourning

Smoked salmon fettuccine served in a time of grief.

Artwork by Anastasia Clyde is seen as part of the inaugural exhibition of “Spirit of Soldotna: Showcasing Student Art” in Soldotna City Hall on Wednesday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna opens student art showcase in city hall

The ongoing exhibition is a collaboration between Soldotna and the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and Kenai Peninsula College.

tease
Off the shelf: Paradise versus privilege

“The Garden Against Time” is part of the Homer Public Library’s 2025 Lit Lineup.

Poopdeck Street, in Homer, became a reality in 1996, honoring Clarence Hiram “Poopdeck” Platt. (Clark Fair photo)
Poopdeck: Nearly a century of adventure — Part 1

Clarence Hiram Platt — who preferred to have people call him Poopdeck — may have been slowing down, but he rarely stopped moving.

File
Minister’s Message: Is it worth the risk?

What good is momentary fame, wealth, or admiration if it ultimately costs us what matters most — our soul?

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 Middle School Battle of the Books Team from Homer Connections, who won the district competition in February, stand for a photo. (Provided by Districtwide Librarian Julie Gottfried)
District Battle of the Books teams ready for state competition

Battle of the Books is an annual celebration of reading and teamwork.

Most Read