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Independence Day festivities begin early and run all day in Kenai on Saturday.

The day kicks off with a breakfast, sponsored by the Rotary Club, from 8 to 10:30 a.m. on the green strip on Main Street Loop in Kenai.

Participants in the parade begin their line-up at 8:30 a.m.; the parade steps off at 11 a.m. and follows its usual route along Willow Street, turning right onto the Kenai Spur Highway and ending at the green strip on Main Street Loop.

Prior to the parade, volunteers will be handing out bags to collect candy, Thunderstix and other goodies along the parade route.

This year's parade theme is "The 49th Turns 50," so expect plenty of blue and gold mixed in with the red, white and blue.

Dr. Peter and Karolee Hansen will serve as the parade's grand marshalls.

In honor of the event, the city of Kenai is supplying a cake big enough to feed 2,000 people, to be served up on the green strip after the parade.

Vendor booths on the green strip will be open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., with a wide range of games and entertainment beginning at 1 p.m. New for this year's event are a display of National Guard equipment, and a beer garden featuring offerings from local breweries.

The second annual Kenai River of Iron Pour, featuring artisans creating cast-iron pieces, will begin at 1:30 p.m. at ConocoPhillips Multi-Purpose Facility next to the Challenger Learning Kenai on the Spur Highway.