The days are picking up with the start of the new school year — but there’s still so much to do and see! Get out and join your community in some fun and exciting upcoming events — for details, check out these Best Bets!

BEST HOMER THEATRE BET: Join the Sutton family for a free celebration and “Thanks for the Memories” party on Friday, Aug. 16 at the Homer Theatre. Open House begins at 6 p.m., followed by a planned program and family friendly film screening at 7 p.m. 106 W Pioneer Ave.

BEST COMMUNITY YARD SALE BET: The Pratt Museum will hold a yard sale on Saturday, Aug. 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the yellow house next to the museum. Come find something special and support the Pratt in the process! All proceeds benefit the Pratt Museum. 3799 Bartlett St.

BEST SCAVENGER HUNT BET: Join the fun and support a great cause with the Homer Animal Friends Scavenger Hunt Fundraiser! Explore the Homer and Anchor Point areas while completing exciting challenges and snapping pictures based on the clues provided. This family-friendly event is happening weekly throughout August, giving you multiple chances to participate and win fantastic prizes. The next scavenger hunt will take place Aug. 17-24. Register at the Homer Animal Friends Store; there is a fee of $25 per entry. Prize drawings take place on Sundays at Grace Ridge Brewing, during Happy Hour from 4-6 p.m. Homer Animal Friends, 601 E. Pioneer Ave, Suite 109. Grace Ridge Brewing, 870 Smoky Bay Way.

BEST VETERANS’ CELEBRATION BET: The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 16 is hosting a Veteran’s Picnic Celebration on Sunday, Aug. 18 from noon to 4 p.m. Join the Legion in honoring all who served with a barbecue, live music and door prizes. 2410 East End Road.

BEST FILM SCREENING EVENT: The World Wildlife Fund, with the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District, presents “Portrait of a Seaweed Farmer,” a short film series screening featuring Kodiak kelp farmer Nick Mangini. This event will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 20 from 5-7 p.m. at the Salmon Sisters Fish Shop at the end of the Homer Spit and is free to the public. Doors open at 5 p.m.; screening begins at 5:30 p.m. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with local kelp and seaweed farmers, network with mariculture experts, and learn about the amazing opportunities within this rapidly growing industry.

BEST COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARDS BET: The Anchorage Daily News, Peak 2 Peak Events, and the Alaska Journal of Commerce are joining forces to celebrate the Community Impact Awards, recognizing neighborhood nonprofit organizations that have made a profound difference in the lives of Alaskans. Nominations may be submitted once daily until Aug. 19. Voting for the top 20 nonprofits will be available Aug. 23 through Sept. 16. If you have a local nonprofit you want to nominate, make sure to add them today! For more information, visit the Homer Chamber of Commerce Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HomerChamberofCommerce/.

BEST SUPPORT THE PRATT MUSEUM BET: The Pratt Museum is asking for your help and support! On Monday, Aug. 26, museum executive director Patty Relay will give a 10-minute presentation on the roof project to the City of Homer Capital Improvement Project Work Session, which starts at 4 p.m. This meeting will be held in the Homer City Hall Cowles Council Chambers and is open to the public, in person and via Zoom. Whether or not you can attend, the museum also asks community members to consider drafting letters of support for Capital Improvement Project Nomination with the City of Homer. Letters can be sent to the mayor’s office and city council members to help the Pratt Museum address critical infrastructure needs. For more information on the Roof System Replacement Project and how to help, visit www.prattmuseum.org/roof-replacement-project/. Homer City Hall, 491 E Pioneer Ave.