What a fantastic turnout at the Fourth of July parade last week! Pioneer Avenue was lined with locals and visitors enjoying the holiday and celebrating Homer’s history, exemplified in the many floats that took part in this year’s event. And the festivities aren’t over! The annual peony festival is still ongoing, there’s new theater to enjoy, and much more to come! For details on upcoming events, check out this week’s Best Bets.

BEST SELL YOUR WARES BET: The Anchor Point Senior Center will be hosting several yard sales on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., beginning July 13 and running through Aug. 24. Four spaces will be available for community members to rent, $20 each. For more information or to rent a space on a certain Saturday, contact 907-235-7786. 72750 Milo Fritz Ave.

BEST LEARNING ABOUT BEES BET: The Homer Public Library will host an educational event for all ages on Tuesday, July 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Join local beekeeper, Jennifer Frazier, to learn about bees. Frazier will bring her demonstration hive to show real bees, and participants will learn about why pollinators are so important and what we can do to help them. Kids preschool-aged and younger must be accompanied by a caregiver. 500 Hazel Ave.

BEST WILD-CRAFTING BET: Join the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies in learning the art of natural fiber dyeing using plants collected from Inspiration Ridge Preserve! On Wednesday, July 17 from 6-8 p.m., participants will utilize recipes from Dena’ina practices and create dyes with the plants around us. All skill levels welcome. All materials provided. Participants are welcome to bring their own yarn/fabric/other textiles to dye, if interested. Tickets for this event are $15 for adults and $5 for children. Children participating must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, visit akcoastalstudies.org/events/weekly-wildcrafting-natural-dyes.

BEST MEET A MUSHER BET: Come meet Homer’s own junior Iditarod musher, Addy Pederson, and her retired leader dog on Friday, July 19 from 3:30-4:30 p.m.! This event, part of the Homer Public Library’s Summer@HPL series, will be held in front of the library and is for all ages and families. Learn about Addy’s mushing equipment and ask questions. 500 Hazel Ave.

BEST FAMILY-FRIENDLY SLOUGH WALKS BET: Join Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve on their Family-Friendly Walks on the Beluga Slough on Wednesdays from 2-3 p.m. Learn about salt marsh plants, birds and animals, local currents and tides, local geology and soils, and the long-term monitoring programs that KBNERR has been leading for the past 10+ years. For more information, contact 907-299-4370 or ieharrald@alaska.edu. 95 Sterling Highway.

BEST ASK A GROWER BET: Every Thursday from 4:30-6 p.m., the Kachemak Bay Campus agriculture staff will be pruning tomatoes, trellising cucumbers, attacking weeds and working the land. Stop by the KBC high tunnel, located at the back of the campus parking lot, and learn about growing in Alaska from scratch. Everyone is welcome. For more information, call 907-235-1674. 533 E Pioneer Ave.

BEST KIDS’ SELF DEFENSE BET: The Homer Police Department will be holding a self-defense class for children ages 8-14 on Saturday, Aug. 3 from 1-3 p.m. The course will cover what kids can do if a stranger approaches, gets in their safety bubble or if someone grabs them. For questions or to register your child for the class, contact Lt. Ryan Browning at 907-235-3150 or rbrowning@ci.homer.ak.us. 625 Grubstake Ave.