Free Fun is Soldonta

On Wednesday nights at 6:30 pm during the summer kids from Soldotna and Kenai are having fun practicing their barrel racing and pole bending skills. It isn't really a community event, but nobody cares if you sit on the bleachers and watch. Plus, the announcer is really funny with all her "Go girl, faster, faster, yipeeiioooo," that it keeps you laughing. There is no charge, and if there is not a rodeo on the weekend this is the perfect opportunity. On a sunny evening, it is also very relaxing.

Hints: Do not park in front of the gates. If you do your car will be covered in dust from the horses in the practice arena by the time you leave.

Every year in Soldotna on the 3rd weekend in July the community holds an event geared toward celebrating the progress that the town has made.

The parade starts at the local high school, Sohi, at 11am and works its way down Binkley Street to disperse at Safeway. The parade is full of music, animals, candy, old cars, motorcycles, cool floats, and many businesses.

If you sit next to the borough building across from the post office, you can hear the mayor and our well-known local reporter and announcer introduce each float and talk about what they have done for the community.

After the parade there are other things happening all over town. There is a car show, a festival, and normally there are other things happening around that will attract your attention.

The festival is at the park on the edge of the river and there are many booths featuring food, drinks, clothing, crafts, local and state candidates, and clubs such as 4-H, The Lions Club, Girl Scouts, and the Motorcycle Club.

Overall the day is pretty fun. Hopefully it is sunny and you can get a sandwich and drink, listen to the music, and watch the river.