This story was updated online after the City of Homer Public Works Department Sustainable Sculpture Garden and the Homer Council on the Arts bonfire were canceled.
The 2022 Winter Carnival Parade may have been canceled, but there are still plenty of events to participate in during this year’s celebration. The city will celebrate the 68th Homer Winter Carnival this weekend, Feb. 10-13.
The Homer Chamber of Commerce announced in a press release last Thursday that the annual parade on Saturday, Feb. 12, had been canceled due to lack of participation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pratt Museum & Park
The Pratt Museum & Park will reopen to the public for free from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12, with two new exhibits. Come by to enjoy hot chocolate while exploring the museum. Masks are required in the Pratt.
Lisa Williams’ “Native Ways In Changing Times” will be in the special exhibit gallery. “Native Ways In Changing Times” is the accumulation of photographs taken over a five-year span from 2005 to 2010 in the villages of Nanwalek and Port Graham, Alaska.
The 1989 Exxon oil spill is still having social and cultural effects to this day. The work shown in Williams’ exhibit is an attempt at examining the traditions and values of the Native people of these two villages and their resiliency with which they responded to the impact the Exxon spill had on their way of life. Thirty-five images and quotes were selected from over 1500 photographs and 50 pages of transcribed interviews to display.
In the Community Gallery will be “Homer’s Nutcracker: A Community Portrait,” photographs by Rafael de la Uz. “Homer’s Nutcracker” tells the story of the town’s ballet in the midst of a pandemic. The exhibit depicts the effort and dedication the community invests in this traditional performance. Homer’s children work to provide several nights of joy and beauty. Photographs will be available for purchase.
Rafael de la Uz is a photographer and filmmaker. He began his work in his hometown of Havana, Cuba. Since moving to the U.S. in 2001, he has worked on projects for HBO, PBS, the New York Times and others. His latest work is a portrait of the community of set netters in South Naknek.
Homer-Kachemak Bay Rotary Club’s Fourth nearly annual Cranium Cup
The Homer-Kachemak Bay Rotary Club is hosting the fourth “nearly annual” Cranium Cup Trivia Challenge, which will be held from 6-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12 at Alice’s Champagne Palace. All proceeds will go to support the Rotary-supported improvement projects at parks in Homer.
The competition has space for 20 teams of six individuals, and the entry fee is $100 per team or $20 for an individual player. Participants can register at https://www.homerrotary.org/ or at the door the night of the event. Payment may be made by cash, check or credit card the evening of the event.
The winning team will be awarded a grand prize and the Cranium Cup trophy.
For additional information, contact Dennis Weidler at
Faith Lutheran Church Chili fundraiser
What better way to warm up during the Homer Winter Carnival than the Winter Carnival Chilly Day Chili to-go fundraiser at Faith Lutheran Church! There will be four types of chili to choose from, including beefy bean, spicy beef, Weber’s Wild Alaskan chili and vegetarian. An 8 ounce serving of chili costs $4, 16 ounces costs $6 and 32 ounces costs $10.
Orders must be placed at
2022 Mr. Homer competition at Justin Cole’s East End Saloon
It’s time to crown a new Mr. Homer! The competition begins at 7 p.m. on Friday at Justin Cole’s East End Saloon.
Contestants will be judged on their unique talents, a Q&A session with the judges and swimwear.
All donations will go to the nonprofit of the winner’s choice.
Sons of the American Legion Homer High School basketball tournament
The 2022 Sons of the American Legion Homer Winter Carnival basketball tournament begins this Thursday between the Homer Mariners, Ninilchik Huskies, Galena Hawks and Redington Huskies. The daily entrance fee for all four games is $10 for adults, $5 for senior citizens and students, and veterans receive free admission. A family day rate is also available for $25.
The game schedule is as follows:
3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10: Redington vs. Ninilchik, Girls
4:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10: Redington vs. Ninilchik, Boys
6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10: Homer vs. Galena, Girls
8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10: Homer vs. Galena, Boys
3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11: Galena vs. Ninilchik, Girls
4:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11: Galena vs. Ninilchik, Boys
6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11: Redington vs. Homer, Girls
8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11: Redington vs. Homer, Boys
Noon Saturday, Feb. 12: Redington vs. Galena, Girls
1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12: Redington vs. Galena, Boys
3:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12: Ninilchik vs. Homer, Girls
5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12: Ninilchik vs. Homer, Boys
Beluga Lake Ice Races
Weather permitting, the Beluga Lake Ice Races will begin at 1 p.m. on Sunday. There will be member races, powder puff races and kids races if participation allows. Day passes are $5 for nonmembers to join a race or come into the pit. Spectators are encouraged to come watch.
Reach reporter Sarah Knapp at sarah.knapp@homernews.com.
Representatives from the Alaska State Parks march in this year’s Homer Winter Carnival Parade on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2020 on Pioneer Avenue in Homer, Alaska. This year’s theme was a tribute to the 50th anniversary of Kachemak Bay State Park. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News Members of the club Krewe of Gambrinus march in this year’s Homer Winter Carnival Parade on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020 on Pioneer Avenue in Homer. They marched dressed as wild things from “Where the Wild Things Are.” For a second year, the Winter Carnival Parade has been canceled.
