Folks gathered along Pioneer Avenue last Saturday morning in time to catch some sunshine and the annual Homer Winter Carnival Parade.
This year marked the parade’s 70th anniversary, reflected in the theme, “What’s Old is New.” Hosted by the Homer Chamber of Commerce as part of a weekend-long schedule of events, the parade celebrated Homer’s “amazing community,” creators, artists, nonprofits, businesses and individuals who walked, according to the HCOC Facebook page.
Parade entries were judged this year by the Homer Global Credit Union, and category winners were awarded prizes in Homer Bucks.
Here are the full parade prize results:
Best of Show — Krewe of Gambrinus, $75 prize.
Best Use of Theme — Homer Drawdown, $75 prize.
Judges’ Sentimental Favorite — Kachemak Bay Recovery, $75 prize.
Best Car/Truck — Homer Racing, $50 prize.
Best Performing Arts — Alaska Japanese Club, $50 prize.
Best Animals — Alaska Stars Drill Team, $50 prize.
Best Children’s Group — Homer Mariner Cheer, $75 prize.
A Krewe of Gambrinus member wears a sandhill crane costume in the 70th annual Homer Winter Carnival Parade on Pioneer Avenue on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024 in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Members of the Krewe of Gambrinus, costumed as sandhill cranes, dance in front of the judges and crowd gathered at the 70th annual Homer Winter Carnival Parade on Pioneer Avenue on Saturday.
Costumed community members walking with Homer Drawdown outlandishly enliven the 70th annual Homer Winter Carnival Parade on Pioneer Avenue on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024 in Homer, Alaska with walkable, wearable sculptures created during Bunnell Street Arts Center’s January Maker’s Space sessions. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Photos by Delcenia Cosman/Homer News Costumed community members walking with Homer Drawdown puppet a Grubby the Possum marionette, created during Bunnell Street Arts Center’s January Maker’s Space sessions, at the 70th annual Homer Winter Carnival Parade on Pioneer Avenue on Saturday.
Spectators hold a “Grubby for Prez” sign, referring to Homer’s beloved Grubby the Virginia opossum, at the 70th annual Homer Winter Carnival Parade on Pioneer Avenue on Saturday.
Homer Chamber of Commerce employee and parade grand marshal Marty Lanz, costumed as the infamous Homer Pennock for whom the city is named, throws chocolate coins to spectators gathered at at the 70th annual Homer Winter Carnival Parade on Pioneer Avenue on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024 in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Members of the Alaska Japanese Club carry a banner ahead of their group’s float at the 70th annual Homer Winter Carnival Parade on Pioneer Avenue on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024 in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
West Homer Elementary School Japanese Club instructor Megumi Beams (center), walking with the Alaska Japanese Club float, carries a cardboard Taiko drum and waves to the crowd at the 70th annual Homer Winter Carnival Parade on Pioneer Avenue on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024 in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
The Unicorn Bunch dances down Pioneer Avenue to “The Hokey Pokey” the 70th annual Homer Winter Carnival Parade on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024 in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
The Alaska Stars Drill Team rides down Pioneer Avenue at the 70th annual Homer Winter Carnival Parade on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024 in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Duncan Hughes, the 2024 Mr. Homer, drives with his wife, Faith Hughes, down Pioneer Avenue at the 70th annual Homer Winter Carnival Parade on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024 in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Homer community members line up along Pioneer Avenue in anticipation of the 70th annual Homer Winter Carnival Parade on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024 in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
