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.
Festival Highlights...
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, Snowy Owl, and the Short-Eared Owl will be joining us this year. The Bird TLC handlers will be Dave Dorsey, Randi Perlman, and Bev Cason.
Kenai River Sportfishing Association’s Hooked on Fishing
Free Rod & Reel Give-A-Way
Saturday only starting at 12:00 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!
Keen Eye Bird Club: Build Your Own Bird Houses and Beginning Birding Clinic
If your little peeps get a hoot out of birds, be sure to stop by this booth and get your own birdhouse you can take home and build. You’ll also be able to hear a few tips on beginning bird identification.
AK Dept. of Fish & Game: Fish Painting on T-shirts
For just a few dollars, you can create your own festival t-shirt and learn about freshwater and sea creatures at this popular booth.
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.
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 2010 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!
Kenai Peninsula Education Association: Scavenger Hunt and Face Painting
KPEA will be facilitating a learning environment at the Kenai River Festival by asking the kids to visit booths and show their learning prior to receiving a free face paint.
Kenai Medi-Center: Promoting Wellness
The Kenai Medi-Center will be promoting wellness and health, hand-washing and exercising. They are bringing a Bounce House to encourage exercising every day. They will also have coloring activities and information for children and their parents.
Friends of the Joyce K. Carver Memorial Library: Story Time and Coloring Activity
Stop by this booth and listen to a story and do a coloring activity to share with your family.
Other Organizations with Activities Include...
Boy Scouts of America
Cook Inlet Academy
Cook Inletkeeper: Beluga head display
Friends of Alaska Refuges
Imagination Library
Kenaitze Indian Tribe
Caring for the Kenai: Winner Displays
Kenai River Center
Kenai Convention & Visitors Bureau - Kenai Visitors & Cultural Center
We will be updating this list regularly, please check back or join our Facebook Fan Page for all the updates.