Homer Alaska - News -

Among Saturday's special guests who enjoyed themselves were Daren, the D.A.R.E. Drug Abuse Resistance Education lion, who braved a snow-covered Sterling Highway to travel from Soldotna for the event. Smokey Bear also visited with youngsters, as did SAFE Kids Safety Seal and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary's Coastie, a remote-controlled boat.

"We had a lot of things this year that were against (the fair), actually, so I was very pleased," Thaute said of Saturday's turnout and the smile on youngsters' faces.

In addition to the unexpected snowfall, there were concerns earlier this year that the fair might not happen after South Peninsula Hospital announced it would not take the lead in sponsoring the fair as it had in the past.

"I've always felt very strongly about SAFE Kids Fair. I think it's very important," Thaute, an SPH employee, said. "And I think the community really responds to it. It needed to happen, so I just went ahead with it."

For the last month and a half, Thaute volunteered her Fridays to put the fair together, with the support of many local and long-standing participants, including the Homer Volunteer Fire Department, Homer Community Schools, Homer Police Department, the Alaska Office of Boating Safety, the Alaska Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation, Homer Electric Association, vision screening by Kachemak Bay Lions Club, SPH, the Coast Guard Auxiliary and many more.

Make-your-own "Kid's Don't Float" T-shirts were a big hit, with Joe McCullough of the Office of Boating Safety helping youngsters color the iron-on designs and District Ranger Roger MacCampbell of State Parks doing the ironing.

The teddy bear hospital also was an attention-getter, with youngsters applying bandages to "owies."

"We didn't have the money to buy bears (this year), but I was lucky. They were funded through South Peninsula Behavioral Health Services," Thaute said.

Offered at the fair for the first time was an opportunity for youngsters to register for several summertime activities, including Little League, swimming lessons, upcoming Safe Sitter training and the Boys and Girls Club.

"It all came together," Thaute said of the fair.

McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben.jackinsky@homernews.com.