Holidays

Gingerbread houses constructed by 4-year-old Izzy and 5-year-old Judah are displayed as part of the 11th Annual Gingerbread House Contest at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Candied community

Gingerbread artists construct more than houses

Gingerbread houses constructed by 4-year-old Izzy and 5-year-old Judah are displayed as part of the 11th Annual Gingerbread House Contest at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Vendors sell wares to attendees of the Vintage Collectibles and Craft Show at the Kenai Senior Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Tis the season of craft fairs

Across the peninsula, community organizations host holiday vendors

Vendors sell wares to attendees of the Vintage Collectibles and Craft Show at the Kenai Senior Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
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 seeks support for turkey fundraiser

The Kenai Peninsula Food Bank is asking the community to help provide more than 1,000 turkeys to peninsula residents

A Kenai Peninsula Food Bank truck in the food bank parking lot on Aug. 4, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A gingerbread house designed by Ulysses Haberman is displayed at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
A gingerbread house designed by Ulysses Haberman is displayed at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022.
A gingerbread house designed by Ulysses Haberman is displayed at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
A gingerbread house designed by Ulysses Haberman is displayed at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022.
Kenai Parks and Recreation Laborer Charlotte Thurman dresses up as a rabbit at an Easter event at Kenai Municipal Park on Friday, April 2, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Easter brings egg hunting and seasonal feasts to the central peninsula

There will be several opportunities for children to chase eggs and families to partake in some seasonal eating

Kenai Parks and Recreation Laborer Charlotte Thurman dresses up as a rabbit at an Easter event at Kenai Municipal Park on Friday, April 2, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Christ Lutheran Church is seen on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Christmas services scheduled for Saturday, Sunday

Local churches and religious organizations will be hosting special holiday services

The Christ Lutheran Church is seen on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Gingerbread houses are displayed at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Gingerbread houses rule

10th annual gingerbread house competition returns to Kenai Chamber of Commerce

Gingerbread houses are displayed at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kinley Ferguson tells Santa Claus what she wants for Christmas during Christmas in the Park festivities on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Christmas in the Park welcomes the holiday season to Soldotna

Santa headlines celebration with caroling, Nativity, cocoa and fireworks

Kinley Ferguson tells Santa Claus what she wants for Christmas during Christmas in the Park festivities on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Children decorate Christmas cookies, part of Christmas Comes to Nikiski festivities on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, at Nikiski Community Recreation Center in Nikiski, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Christmas crafts and Santa photos

Nikiski holds start of annual December celebration

Children decorate Christmas cookies, part of Christmas Comes to Nikiski festivities on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, at Nikiski Community Recreation Center in Nikiski, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Hip-Hop students practice their routines for Forever Christmas on Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, at Forever Dance in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Forever Dance rings in the holidays with variety show

The show serves as a fun holiday tradition and an opportunity to get on stage early in the season

Hip-Hop students practice their routines for Forever Christmas on Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, at Forever Dance in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion 
Laura Black, owner of Fireweed Bakery, sells some of her wares during the Merry Little Christmas Market at the Peninsula Center Mall in Soldotna, Alaska on Nov. 7, 2020.

Getting into the holiday spirit with crafts, bazaars and expos

Wares from local businesses and craftspeople will be on sale each weekend in November

Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion 
Laura Black, owner of Fireweed Bakery, sells some of her wares during the Merry Little Christmas Market at the Peninsula Center Mall in Soldotna, Alaska on Nov. 7, 2020.
Kids put their new pet ghosts into bottles at the Kenai Community Library in Kenai, Alaska on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kids put their new pet ghosts into bottles at the Kenai Community Library in Kenai, Alaska on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Elderberry carried the Together Tree, bound for the Alaska Governor’s Mansion, up from Wrangell where it was harvested after a brief delay due to some mechanical issues. (USCG photo / Petty Officer 2nd Class Lexie Preston)

Governor’s mansion tree arrives in Juneau

No weather or floating lines could stay these Coast Guardsmen about their task.

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Elderberry carried the Together Tree, bound for the Alaska Governor’s Mansion, up from Wrangell where it was harvested after a brief delay due to some mechanical issues. (USCG photo / Petty Officer 2nd Class Lexie Preston)
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