Activities at the Festival
All of the activities are FREE! With the generous support and help from local agencies and organizations, the Kenai River Festival offers over 30 hands-on, environmental science activities. We thank each and every one of these organizations and all of their volunteers.
The Kenai River Festival grew out of our desire to provide a free, fun setting for people to learn more about the river, how we impact it by our activities, and what we can do to keep it healthy and productive for generations to come. Each year at the festival, information about our rivers and other unique local natural resources are shared through a wide variety of hands-on learning activities for youth and adults. The entire event is sponsored by local businesses and organizations.
Agency & Organization Registration Packet
Festival Highlights...
Tails & Trails Storytelling
Fun and inspiration at this year’s festival, featuring Tails & Trails Storytelling, a fantastic duo that travels the country bringing life to words. We’re jazzed they’ll be joining us this year… they have story fever and are looking forward to sharing it with us! Tails & Trails will engage folks in stories and interactive activities with the message “We’re all Connected”. Children will also be making their very own talking sticks! We are pleased and excited to have Tails & Trails with us this year!
Passport to Education – Win an iPad at the Kenai Watershed Forum booth!
Stop by the Kenai Watershed Forum’s Festival Headquarters booth and pick up your Passport to Education. Work your way through the various education booths and be entered in a drawing to win an iPad! The KWF booth will also feature KWF Summer Camp registration, restoration projects, research efforts, and plenty of FREE give-a-ways. Children ages 6-16 are eligible for the iPad give-a-way.
Bird TLC: Live Raptors
The Bird Treatment and Learning Center in Anchorage has been joining us for the Festival for many years and this year is no exception. We are pleased that the Great Horned Owl and the Snowy Owl will be joining us this year. The Bird TLC handlers will be Dave Dorsey and Gina Holloman.
Kenai River Sportfishing Association’s Hooked on Fishing
Free Rod & Reel Give-A-Way
Saturday only starting at 12:30 pm
Ages 6-16
Each year the Hooked on Fishing program puts rods and reels in the hands of kids in our community, so that they can learn about the joys of fishing. Hundreds of rods and reels are given out at the Festival. Be sure to get in line early!
Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association’s Fish Dissection Clinic
NEW this year we’ll have technicians from Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association providing fish dissection clinics! Children and adults will be fascinated by this hands-on look at the inside of our local fish. Learn about the different organs and what makes our fish so unique. Be sure to check in at the Festival Headquarters tent for a list of times these clinics will take place.
US Fish & Wildlife Service: Pathways to Fishing
Pathways to Fishing is a fun booth that teaches young and new anglers about resource conservation, develops angler skills and ethics, and nurtures personal commitment to aquatic resource stewardship.
Alaska Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation – Fish Disposal Game and Bear-resistant Container Give-A-Way
Children will learn the proper techniques of fish disposal in this very lively and interactive game. In addition State Parks will be giving away a bear-resistant container to a lucky person.
Challenger Learning Center: Barany Chair and Paper Rockets
Once again the great folks at the Challenger Learning Center will be building paper rockets with the kids. And don’t forget the launch... 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, BLAST OFF!
Boys & Girls Clubs: Wooden Fish Model Painting
Families in the area have been collecting these beautiful fish for generations! If you already have a few on the mantel or just starting your collection, be sure to stop by this booth and decorate your own 2011 wooden fish. These make great Father’s Day gifts!
Peninsula Puppeteers bring you Swimming Down the Kenai
Live puppet shows running all day, both days. Visit the puppet show stage for a complete list of times.
Kaleidoscope School of Arts & Science: Water Science Activities
Our friends at Kaleidoscope always engage the children in fun learning activities. This is a must do for all!
Vote for your Favorite Alaskan Animal – League of Women Voters
This year the League of Women Voters will be teaching children about the important right and role we all have as citizens to VOTE! Children will be using real voting booths to vote for their favorite Alaskan Animal… who will the winner be?
Kenai Medi-Center: Promoting Wellness
The Kenai Medi-Center will be promoting wellness and health, hand-washing and exercising.
Become a Mermaid: Cook Inletkeeper
Don’t miss your opportunity to become a beautiful mermaid!!! The Cook Inletkeeper has embraced "Sedna" - a mythological goddess of the sea - as its logo. Maritime cultures throughout the world have mythologies built around a sea goddess whose role is to protect the ocean's creatures and to ensure the successful hunting and gathering of resources from the sea This is a beautiful photo opportunity and a chance to learn about Cook Inletkeeper’s efforts on the Kenai.
Friends of the Joyce K. Carver Memorial Library: Story Time and Painting Activity
Stop by this booth, listen to a story, and do a painting activity to share with your family.
Kenai Peninsula Food Bank Nutritional Activities
Be sure to stop by this booth to learn more about children’s nutrition in special hands-on games and activities. Healthy Kids = Healthy Future!
Books and Book Marks with the Imagination Library
If you have children and don’t know about the Imagination Library, you’re missing out! This is a FREE book-a-month program for children under 5. The Imagination Library will be registering children at the Festival this year as well as providing a creative spot to make your own book mark!
Other Organizations with Kids’ Activities Include...
Kenai Peninsula Education Association: Face Painting
Kenaitze Indian Tribe
Caring for the Kenai: Winner Displays
Kenai River Center
Keen Eye Bird Club
www.kenaiwatershed.org
(907) 260-5449
We will be updating this list regularly, please check back or join our Facebook Fan Page for all the updates.