The yearly event ushers in the Christmas portion of the holiday season, and features food, fun, and fireworks! Executive Director for the Kenai Chamber, Samantha Springer sat down with the KSRM news team to talk about the Yuletide kickoff.
NS: Nick Sorrell here with Samantha Springer, executive director for the Kenai Chamber of Commerce. We’re talking about the City of Kenai ‘s annual celebration, Christmas Comes to Kenai. Samantha, tell me a little bit about the festivities.
SS: This year we’re going to be extending it a little bit, going from 11 to 4. So, Santa will arrive on the Kenai Fire Departments fire truck and come over and meet the kids and hang out. There’s going to be hot cocoa and cookies and some special guest appearances that we can’t talk about yet. Yeah, so. Quite a few things are gonna be going on a little bit differently this year, but it should be a good time.
NS: OK. And then every year what kicks off the evening celebration?
SS: At 6:00 PM we start the parade, and that’s the electric lights parade. That should go for about 30 minutes.
NS: And then end of the night what do we finish it all off with?
SS: With the bonfire and the fireworks. So, well, first the fireworks, then the bonfire, and then we’ll wrap everything up about 8:30.
NS: And where is the bonfire at?
SS: The bonfire is right at the Kenai Chamber. We have a big old pit out by the parking lot.
NS: Do you know how long the city’s been doing Christmas comes to Kenai?
SS: So, I’ve actually been trying to figure that out, like for an exact time frame. From what I can tell it’s over 40 years. But I cannot get an exact date of when it started, and I have been trying desperately.
NS: Christmas comes to Kenai. We’ll look forward to it. Thank you.
SS: Sounds great. Thank you.
Bring your family and friends and join the city of Kenai, along with the rest of the community in bringing in the Christmas season with a great time.