The Soldotna Chamber of Commerce is preparing for a busy summer season, according to Executive Director Shanon Davis, who on Wednesday gave a quarterly update to the Soldotna City Council.
“The last three months have been really great,” Davis said. “You know, it’s been wonderful to start feeling a return to normalcy.”
Since Davis’ last quarterly update, the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce hosted Frozen Riverfest in February and the Soldotna St. Patrick’s Day parade in March, both of which Davis said were raving successes.
Frozen Riverfest, which brought residents together around breweries, bonfires and live music, saw more than 1,500 attendees, Davis said — the most in the event’s history. That included more than 1,000 people who purchased drinking tickets and more than 300 people who bought non-drinking tickets.
Davis also told council members that the city’s music in the park events could get a boost under the expansion of grant programs by the Levitt Foundation. The Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series offers free concerts on Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. throughout the summer in Soldotna Creek Park. The events also feature food vendors, a beer garden and booths from local artists and businesses.
“With all the community support this concert series, which just a few years ago was seriously in the red, is now sustainable,” Davis said. “We’re just very proud of that and also so thankful for all the community support.”
Over the next 20 years, Davis said, the Levitt Foundation will put $250 million into community programs like Soldotna’s. Soldotna will have the option to apply for three-year grants that would provide $30,000 annually. The city could then apply for two more three-year grant cycles, for a total of nine years.
“It’s a pretty exciting opportunity for Soldotna,” Davis said.
This summer’s concert series will kick off on June 1 with the Anchorage-based pop rock group Medium Build. The Soldotna City Council’s full Wednesday meeting can be viewed on the city of Soldotna’s website at soldotna.org.
Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.
Shanon Davis and Monique Burgin of the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce hand out candy during the Sweeney’s St. Patrick’s Parade in Soldotna on March 17, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
