Tom Redmond distributed candy to parade goers at the Soldotna St. Paddy’s Day Parade on Friday, March 17, 2017 in Soldotna, Alaska. The parade has become a family tradition, with three generations of the Redmond family attending each year. (Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

Tom Redmond distributed candy to parade goers at the Soldotna St. Paddy’s Day Parade on Friday, March 17, 2017 in Soldotna, Alaska. The parade has become a family tradition, with three generations of the Redmond family attending each year. (Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna’s pot of gold: Residents turn out to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

The Kenai Spur Highway was lined with green at the 26th annual Soldotna St. Patrick’s Day parade.

The parade kicked off at 4:30p.m. Friday, when participants left Bailey’s Furniture and marched along the highway, which was closed for the events.

All were welcome to participate in the parade and marchers ranged from large groups to families.

“We’re from Central Peninsula General Hospital and we all work in different areas of the hospital,” said J.J. Jacinto of Soldotna. “We thought it would be a blast to come out here and do this.”

Sonja and Tom Redmond also participated in the parade with their family, continuing their St. Paddy’s Day tradition.

“Well, we’re Irish and I think we’ve been at every parade that there’s been,” Sonja Redmond said. “We might have missed the first one or two, but it’s a family tradition and it’s something that we do and we all enjoy.”

Reach Kat Sorensen at kat.sorensen@peninsulaclarion.com.

Participants in the Soldotna St. Paddy’s Day Parade traveled down Kenai Spur Highway in cars and by foot, waving to parade-goers and handing out an assortment of treats on Friday, March 17, 2017 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

Participants in the Soldotna St. Paddy’s Day Parade traveled down Kenai Spur Highway in cars and by foot, waving to parade-goers and handing out an assortment of treats on Friday, March 17, 2017 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

Brock Miller donned his green attire for the Soldotna St. Paddy’s Day Parade while filling his bag with the different types of candy handed out by parade participants on Friday, March 17, 2017 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

Brock Miller donned his green attire for the Soldotna St. Paddy’s Day Parade while filling his bag with the different types of candy handed out by parade participants on Friday, March 17, 2017 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

John and Nan Clonan wore their most Irish hats to watch the Soldotna St. Paddy’s Day Parade on Friday, March 17, 2017 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

John and Nan Clonan wore their most Irish hats to watch the Soldotna St. Paddy’s Day Parade on Friday, March 17, 2017 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

Laurel Johnson, left, Ella Siemers and Eric Johnson marched in the Soldotna St. Paddy’s Day Parade on Friday, March 17, 2017 in Soldotna, Alaska, with a green balloon in tow to show their holiday spirit. (Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

Laurel Johnson, left, Ella Siemers and Eric Johnson marched in the Soldotna St. Paddy’s Day Parade on Friday, March 17, 2017 in Soldotna, Alaska, with a green balloon in tow to show their holiday spirit. (Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

More in News

Soldotna City Manager Janette Bower, right, speaks to Soldotna Vice Mayor Lisa Parker during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna tweaks bed tax legislation ahead of Jan. 1 enactment

The council in 2023 adopted a 4% lodging tax for short-term rentals

Member Tom Tougas speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Tourism Industry Working Group in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Tourism Industry Working Group holds 1st meeting

The group organized and began to unpack questions about tourism revenue and identity

The Nikiski Pool is photographed at the North Peninsula Recreation Service Area in Nikiski, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion file)
Nikiski man arrested for threats to Nikiski Pool

Similar threats, directed at the pool, were made in voicemails received by the borough mayor’s office, trooper say

A sign welcomes visitors on July 7, 2021, in Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Seward council delays decision on chamber funding until January work session

The chamber provides destination marketing services for the city and visitor center services and economic development support

A table used by parties to a case sits empty in Courtroom 4 of the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Crane sentenced again to 30 years in prison after failed appeal to 3-judge panel

That sentence resembles the previous sentence announced by the State Department of Law in July

Kenai City Manager Paul Ostrander sits inside Kenai City Hall on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion file)
Ostrander named to Rasmuson board

The former Kenai city manager is filling a seat vacated by former Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Mike Navarre

Joe Gilman is named Person of the Year during the 65th Annual Soldotna Chamber Awards Celebration at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Wednesday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Gilman, PCHS take top honors at 65th Soldotna Chamber Awards

A dozen awards were presented during the ceremony in the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex conference rooms

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Troopers respond to car partially submerged in Kenai River

Troopers were called to report a man walking on the Sterling Highway and “wandering into traffic”

Seward City Hall is seen under cloudy skies in Seward, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Seward council approves 2025 and 2026 budget

The move comes after a series of public hearings

Most Read