Community celebrates SP hospital’s 60 years with barbecue, camaraderie

Homer residents — young, old and in between — came together on Saturday, July 9, to celebrate the 60 years South Peninsula Hospital has served the lower Kenai Peninsula area.

Many chowed down on a barbecue lunch provided by Black Jaxx BBQ, a local food truck in Homer and Soldotna, enjoying ribs, salad, watermelon, popsicles and other classic summer picnic fare. Local bands — Seaside Singers, Vheneka Marimba, and Cathy Stingley and Friends — performed throughout the event, as well as a ukulele audience sing-along.

Kachemak Emergency Services gave tours of a fire truck to families, letting children explore the inside of the truck as well.

Despite the slightly rainy weather, the Homer Emblem Club spun cotton candy for those with sweet teeth, and kids had the opportunity to get their face painted as well.

Anna Frost can be reached at anna.frost@homernews.com.

Fran VanSandt of the Homer Emblem Club spins cotton candy during the South Peninsula Hospital 60th Anniversary Party on Saturday, July 9.

Fran VanSandt of the Homer Emblem Club spins cotton candy during the South Peninsula Hospital 60th Anniversary Party on Saturday, July 9.

Homer Medical Center employee Crystal Rogers pours dressing over the salad accompanying the ribs on her lunch plate at the South Peninsula Hospital 60th Anniversary Party. Black Jaxx BBQ provided lunch for attendees of the Saturday, July 9 celebration.

Homer Medical Center employee Crystal Rogers pours dressing over the salad accompanying the ribs on her lunch plate at the South Peninsula Hospital 60th Anniversary Party. Black Jaxx BBQ provided lunch for attendees of the Saturday, July 9 celebration.

Crowds of Homer residents gathered at long tables in the Bartlett Street parking lot of South Peninsula to enjoy a barbecue lunch provided by Black Jaxx BBQ for the July 9 South Peninsula Hospital 60th Anniversary celebration.

Crowds of Homer residents gathered at long tables in the Bartlett Street parking lot of South Peninsula to enjoy a barbecue lunch provided by Black Jaxx BBQ for the July 9 South Peninsula Hospital 60th Anniversary celebration.

Taylor Wilson of Kachemak Emergency Services tells Jerilyn Wright and her grandchildren Ahnali and Nakoa Cook about the features of the fire truck present at the South Peninsula Hospital 60th Anniversary Party.

Taylor Wilson of Kachemak Emergency Services tells Jerilyn Wright and her grandchildren Ahnali and Nakoa Cook about the features of the fire truck present at the South Peninsula Hospital 60th Anniversary Party.

Brandi Scott paints four-year-old Erica Koch's face during the South Peninsula Hospital 60th Anniversary Party on Saturday, July 9.

Brandi Scott paints four-year-old Erica Koch’s face during the South Peninsula Hospital 60th Anniversary Party on Saturday, July 9.

Alexandra Jones, 6, closes her eyes as Aleta Phelps works on a face painting design at the South Peninsula Hospital 60th Anniversary Party on Saturday, July 9.

Alexandra Jones, 6, closes her eyes as Aleta Phelps works on a face painting design at the South Peninsula Hospital 60th Anniversary Party on Saturday, July 9.

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