With the recent barrage of snow coating the Kenai Peninsula in white and colorful lights donning trees and buildings alike, it’s officially time to celebrate the holiday season.
There’s no place like Homer for the holidays, so here are a few events to brighten even the grumpiest of Scrooges this Christmas.
Homer Chamber of Commerce’s annual Holiday Tree lighting ceremony
The Homer Chamber of Commerce invites all community members to “Come light the Holiday Tree” to kick off the holiday celebrations on Thursday, Dec. 2 at the Homer Chamber of Commerce! The event will begin at 5 p.m. and will feature hot chocolate and s’mores, a chance to meet Santa Claus and a Christmas caroling performance by the Homer High School Choir.
This event is sponsored by Alaska Peninsula Plumbing & Mechanical, Coastline Insurance, Dutch Boy Landscaping, Homer Truffle Company, Cornerstone Home Lending, ENSTAR, Homer Electric Association and The Seldovia Village Tribe.
33rd annual Homer Nutcracker Ballet
Tickets are now on sale for the 33rd annual Homer Nutcracker Ballet, featuring Homer youth and community actors! Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5 at Homer High School.
Tickets can be purchased in the Wild Berry Building on Pioneer Avenue in Homer on Friday from 3-6 p.m. and at River City Books in Soldotna. Tickets cost $17 for adults and $12 for youth and can be purchased with cash or checks. Masks are required at all shows and when purchasing tickets. Seating in a vaccinated section will also be available.
2021 Nutcracker Faire
The Homer Council on the Arts is hosting the 2021 Nutcracker Faire Dec. 4-5 at Homer High School, featuring Kenai Peninsula artists and makers. The faire begins Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. with booths of crafts and goodies to purchase. The event continues Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The first hour of both days is reserved for vaccinated patrons. Face masks are strongly encouraged. For more information, contact the Homer Council on the Arts at 907-235-4288.
“Let It Glow” Holiday Lights Campaign and Contest
Whether it’s 250 lights or 25,000 lights, Homer residents are encouraged to channel their inner Clark Griswold and decorate the outside of their homes for the holiday season for a chance to win prizes.
This year, Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, Homer Electric Association, and South Peninsula Hospital are co-sponsoring the first “Let It Glow” holiday lights campaign and contest to promote neighborhood holiday activity, creates fun for families and individuals of all ages, and brings light and joy to the southern Kenai Peninsula during the darkest days of the year.
The lighting campaign and contest will kick off on Thursday, Dec. 2 at the Homer Chamber of Commerce’s annual Holiday Tree Lighting event, and will run through the month of December. Private residences, businesses and neighborhoods are encouraged to decorate their homes and neighborhoods with holiday lights for $1,000 in prizes awarded in the following six categories:
People’s Choice Awards:
• Best Neighborhood – Winning group of at least four residential properties wins $500 in HEA energy credits to share.
• Best Business/nonprofit – Winner receives $200 in HEA energy credits
• Best Private Residence – Winner receives $100 in HEA energy credits
Additional prizes will be awarded:
• SPH Long Term Care residents’ favorite – wins $100 in HEA energy credits
• HEA Clark Griswold Award – wins $100 in HEA energy credits
Winners of the people’s choice awards will be determined by online voting of the local community on the Let It Glow Homer Facebook page. Judging will happen Dec. 19-29. Any location on the southern peninsula is eligible to win, and all are encouraged to use the Facebook page as a place to post photos of must-see locations. Contestants and fans who do not have Facebook can submit their location for consideration, or submit their vote, via the email letitglow@homerelectric.com.
Winners will receive prizes of energy credits donated by Homer Electric Association, which will be announced during the annual New Year’s Eve fireworks show.
Bear Creek Winery Garden of Lights
Bear Creek Winery Garden of Lights will return this December with Christmas lights, hot chocolate, a bonfire and holiday music. Garden of Lights will be open from 5-7 p.m. Dec. 10-11 and Dec. 17-18. Admission is free. Bear Creek Winery is located three miles out East End Road.
Homer Chamber of Commerce Think BIG Shop Small
The Homer Chamber of Commerce Shop Local campaign, Think BIG Shop Small, began last Saturday, Nov. 27, and offers great deals for the holiday season. Local businesses are offering major discounts through the end of the year, including Fireweed Gallery, The Homer Bookstore, Bear Creek Winery & Lodging, Ptarmigan Arts, Wagon Wheel Garden & Pet, Homer Art and Frame, Baycrest RV Park K.O.A., Sweetgale Meadworks & Cider House, Ulmer’s Drug & Hardware, Kachemak Gear Shed.
Homer News wishes everyone a warm, safe, healthy and happy holidays!
Reach Sarah Knapp at sarah.knapp@homernews.com.
Swift Blackstock as Young Clara poses for a photo on Dec. 3, 2020 in the Petit Nutcracker Ballet at the Homer Nutcracker Productions’ black box theater in the Wildberry Building in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Jennifer Norton)
