Independence Day is right around the corner, and the Kenai Peninsula is stocked with family-friendly events for this year’s Fourth of July celebrations.
Brett Perry, the director of the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, said Thursday he wants people to show up in town for the festivities.
“I just encourage everybody to have fun,” he said.
The annual Fourth of July parade begins at 11 a.m. on Fidalgo Avenue in Kenai. The route will then flow left on Willow Street and left again onto the Kenai Spur Highway, and end on Main Street Loop. Floats will line up before the parade starts down Trading Bay Road. Perry said participants are encouraged to pre-register by calling the chamber at 907-283-1991.
Perry said there have already been a number of people to register for the parade in advance.
“I think there’s going to be a good turnout,” he said. “I hope to see as many people as possible.”
From noon to 4 p.m. there will also be activities on the Kenai “green strip,” including vendors, food trucks, a beer garden, kids carnival and games. There is also live music from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Events celebrating Independence Day will also happen in communities around the peninsula.
Homer
The Southern Kenai Peninsula features not just one big Fourth of July bash, but events all around the bay from Thursday to Monday in Anchor Point, Homer and Seldovia.
In Anchor Point, enjoy small town fun with barbecues, games and, of course, a parade around town and at the Anchor Point Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10221 on Milo Fritz Avenue. The fun runs from Friday night through Monday, with the parade at noon starting on School Street.
Homer starts the fun on Saturday with the Kachemak Bay Scottish Club’s annual Highland Games. Wear your clan kilt and compete in or watch traditional games, where braw lads and lassies hurl big rocks and logs. The games continue on Sunday, with music, food and crafts on both days.
On Monday, start the day at noon with the annual American Legion Post 16 Fourth of July Carnival at Mile 2.5 East End Road. Enjoy games for kids and a barbecue.
End the day with the parade on Pioneer Avenue. This year’s theme is “The First 50 Years: Celebrating Homer High School Graduates from 1940-1990,” a mega-reunion where Mariner alums gather to celebrate the classes of 1940 to 1990.
Across Kachemak Bay, the city of Seldovia, in partnership with Seldovia Village Tribe and the Seldovia Chamber of Commerce, “celebrates small town Independence Day in a big way,” as they say on the city’s website.
Founded in 1945, Seldovia recognizes a milestone with the 60th anniversary of its creation as a first-class city in 1962. Seldovia Mayor Jeremiah Campbell will celebrate the 60th anniversary with the Key to the City event. Sen. Lisa Murksoski, R-Alaska, will attend, and local, state and federal dignitaries have been invited. During the Independence Day Parade, photos of past Seldovia mayors will be displayed, and some of the mayors also join the parade. Diane Kaplan, CEO of the Rasmuson Foundation, is Seldovia’s Honorary Old Crab.
Seward
Seward will not only host its annual Mount Marathon Race, but feature a weekend of games, activities and contests.
July 2
10 a.m to 7 p.m. — Festival booths open (Adams Street, Church Street and Fourth Avenue)
10 a.m. to 11 a.m. — Strength tester hosted by Seward Chamber of Commerce (Church Street)
10:30 a.m. — 3-legged race hosted by Stoney Creek Canopy Adventures (Church Street)
Noon — Spikeball games hosted by community members (Branson Pavilion lawn)
1 p.m. to 3 p.m. — Strength tester hosted by Seward Chamber of Commerce (Church Street)
2 p.m. — Slow Bike Race hosted by Fish Seward Alaska, Inc. (Church Street)
6 p.m. — Disco Roller Skate hosted by Seward City Church (AVTEC)
July 3
10 a.m. to 7 p.m. — Festival booths open (Adams Street, Church Street and Fourth Avenue)
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Bouncy houses hosted by Spruce Lodge (Church Street)
11 a.m. — Sawdust hunt hosted by Seward American Legian Post #5 & Precision Timberworks (Church Street)
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Strength tester hosted by Seward Chamber of Commerce (Church Street)
Noon — Tug-of-war contest hosted by Seward Chamber of Commerce (Church Street)
1 p.m. — Egg toss hosted by Nash Coop (Church Street)
2 p.m. — Shoreline Skate Co. Competition at Evan Casey Skate Park (sign-up at 12 p.m.) (Ballaine Boulevard)
4 p.m. — Arm wrestling w/ Goliath the Bear hosted by Saktown & Good Buds (Church Street)
5 p.m. to 7 p.m. — Annual pie sale at Seward United Methodist Church (Fourth Avenue and Church Street)
5:30 p.m. — Fish-toss hosted by Seward Chamber of Commerce & OBI Seafoods (Church Street)
5 p.m. to 8 p.m. — Bib pickup (Seward High School)
6 p.m. — Raffle and auction for men’s and women’s race (Seward High School)
6:45 p.m. — Race safety meeting (Seward High School)
11 p.m. — Boat Parade (Seward Harbor & Waterfront Park)
Midnight — Fourth of July fireworks (Seward Harbor & Waterfront Park)
July 4
8 a.m. — Annual pie sale at Seward Memorial United Methodist Church (Fourth Avenue and Church Street)
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Race headquarters open (Flamingo Lounge parking lot, 208 Fourth Ave.)
8:50 a.m. — Singing of the National Anthem
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. — Festival booths open (Adams Street, Church Street and Fourth Avenue)
9 a.m. — Junior Mount Marathon Race (mass start for boys and girls) (Fourth Avenue and Adams Street)
10 a.m. — Junior Podium Awards Presentation (announcer grandstand, Fourth Avenue)
10:45 a.m. — Mini Mount Marathon Racer Round Up (Fourth Avenue and Adams Street)
11 a.m. — Sloppy Joe Booth at the Resurrection Lutheran Church (Third Avenue and Jefferson Street)
11 a.m. — BBQ Rib Feed at the American Legion (Fifth Avenue and Jefferson Street)
11 a.m. — Men’s Mount Marathon Race (Fourth Avenue and Adams Street)
11:08 a.m. — Mini Mount Marathon Race for 2- to 6-year-olds (Fourth Avenue and Adams Street)
12:15 p.m. — Men’s Podium Awards Presentation (announcer grandstand, Fourth Avenue)
1 p.m. — Fourth of July Parade (downtown)
2 p.m. — Women’s Mount Marathon Race (Fourth Avenue and Adams Street)
3:15 p.m. — Women’s Podium Awards Presentation (announcer grandstand, Fourth Avenue)
4 p.m. — Blackwater Railroad Company Pop Up Show (Next to Seward Fire Department)
6 p.m. — Awards Ceremony – AVTEC Gymnasium (519 Fourth Ave.)
