Set for Monday, Sept. 2, the day will kick off at 1 p.m. with a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter rescue demonstration and a parade of locally made boats. The competitions will begin immediately thereafter, followed by the Mariner of the Year Award presentation and an awards party right on site.

The rescue demonstration and competitions will take place on the beach alongside the Coast Guard Cutter Sedge near the entrance to Homer Harbor. Other events include complimentary EPIRB testing and a variety of displays and activities, including an oyster-slurping contest, a fish-filleting contest and a heaving line contest.

Competitions will include immersion suit relay and damage control trainer operations. There's a $100 entry fee per boat, and a crew consists of four individuals who are or have been employed on a boat. There is no fee for individual entry. Prizes will be awarded in each category, with the grand prize for the winning boat being a survival raft repack donated by FNBA and Eagle Enterprises. The grand prize for crew includes a "winner-takes-all" of entry fees.

Entry forms and guidelines are available at the Homer Chamber of Commerce, the Harbor Masters Office, Helly Hansen, Kachemak Gear Shed, Nomar, Eagle Enterprises, Coal Point Trading and the fuel dock.

The SeaFair safety rodeo is free and open to the public, and is sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard, North Pacific Fisheries Association, First National Bank Alaska and the Homer Chamber of Commerce Marine Trades Committee. For more information, contact the Homer Chamber of Commerce at 235-7740.