Peninsula Winter Games.

• Author: Anderson, Tasha
• Position: TRAVEL

Join the fun on Saturday, January 31 at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex during the annual Peninsula Winter Games. Initiated by A1 York, a member of the Soldotna Lions Club, in 1976, the event was intended to provide children with an opportunity to enjoy sports, games, and kid oriented events during the winter season.

"After [York] passed away, many people picked up the torch to help keep the games alive... thanks to tremendous community support, the games have continued to grow each year," says Tami Murray, the visitor center coordinator for the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center.

Leading up to the main event, the Native Youth Olympics take place at Kenai Middle School January 23-25, which includes games such as the scissor broad jump, one-hand reach, seal hop, two-foot high kick, arm pull, toe kick, Eskimo stick pull, wrist carry, and Alaskan high kick.

In the week before the games there is an ice carving exhibition featuring works by local artists. "Local businesses sponsor a sculpture and all the proceeds go to the Peninsula Winter...