This year’s Winter Carnival theme is “Hibernation Vacation,” and local businesses and venues are pulling out all the stops to make it a vacation Homer residents will revel in.
The Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center hosts an Annual Winter Carnival Parade, set to take place at noon on Saturday, Feb. 10. The overall Winter Carnival Celebration runs through the weekend of Thursday through Sunday, February 8-11.
The Grand Marshals are Kate and Ben Mitchell of NOMAR, one of Homer’s local manufacturers of outdoor clothing and fishing gear and are celebrating the 40th Anniversary of business in Homer.
Parade line-up will start at 11 a.m. at Homer High School and the parade will commence at noon down Pioneer Avenue. Parade headquarters is at Bay Realty with Darrell Oliver, Master of Ceremonies. The key Parade Sponsor is Muslow &Muslow, Certified Public Accountants, along with other supporters Land’s End Resort, Homer Bed &Breakfast Association, and Seldovia Village Tribe.
Here’s a further breakdown of Winter Carnival events to come:
Today:
Land’s End — Free room upgrades on Land’s End Getaway Package at www.lands-end-resort.com/lodging/getaway-package
Pratt Museum — Galleries open from noon to 5 p.m.
Kachemak Bay Environmental Educators Alliance — Free, family-friendly events with snowshoeing/hiking, scavenger hunt, shelter building, and other fun outdoor activities. These will run from 1-4 p.m. at the Wynn Nature Center, East Skyline Drive.
Homer High School — Winter Carnival Basketball Tournament. The Mt. Edgecumbe vs Dillingham girls game is at 3:30 p.m., the Mt. Edgecumbe vs Dillingham boys game is at 5 p.m., the Homer girls vs Kotzebue is at 6:30 p.m., and the Homer boys vs. Kotzebue is at 8 p.m.
Grace Ridge Brewery — Winter hours are in effect through Sunday, 3-5 p.m. The Art Exhibit on display is “Whimsical Paintings” by Homer Artist Edward Whetstone Hutchinson.
Friday, Feb. 9:
Pratt Museum — Galleries open noon to 5 p.m. Fish feeding, which are free, are from 4-5 p.m.
Homer High School — The Winter Carnival Basketball Tournament continues with the Kotzebue vs Mt. Edgecumbe girls game at 3:30 p.m., the Kotzebue vs Mt. Edgecumbe boys game at 5 p.m., the Homer vs Dillingham girls game at 6:30 p.m., and the Homer vs Dillingham boys game at 8 p.m.
Mr. Homer Pageant — This annual tradition will be held at 8 p.m. at the Down East Saloon. It’s a comedy contest in three rounds. Judges will be looking for a “Very Homerish Person.” The pageant is a fundraiser for Hospice of Homer and Homer Special Olympics. For more information contact 299-0319 or daxalaska@yahoo.com.
Saturday, Feb. 10:
Pratt Museum — Galleries open noon to 5 p.m. There will be half off admission and heart rock scavenger hunts in the galleries.
Homer High School — The Winter Carnival Basketball Tournament continues at noon with the Dillingham vs Kotzebue girls game, followed by the Dillingham vs Kotzebue boys game at 1:30 p.m., the Homer vs Mt. Edgecumbe girls game at 3 p.m. and the Homer vs Mt. Edgecumbe boys game at 4:30 p.m.
Winter Carnival Parade — The parade starts at noon. For more info call Jan at the Chamber.
United Methodist Church — Pancake Breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon at 770 East End Road. Call 235-8528 for more information.
Close-Up 8th Grade to DC Bake Sale — This will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Bay Realty Parking Lot, sponsored by the Emblem Club.
Outhouse Races — Following the parade. Open to anyone, any team, any group and any family. Cost of entry is $75 sponsor. Contact 299-0319 or daxalaska@yahoo.com.
Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball — Hosted by Alibi Bar &Cafe and Fractal Theory Productions, this is a celebration of Mardi Gras 2018 at The Alibi. There will be a Costume Contest where judges will be taking a look at the masks people have made. There are awesome prizes for the best female and best male masks.
Cranium Cup — An evening of trivia, fun and prizes from 6-8:30 p.m. at Alice’s Champagne Palace. Register your team of up to six people. Funds raised will support Homer-Kachemak Bay Rotary Club’s park improvements. Call 399-2432 or visit www.homerrotary.org.
Sunday, Feb. 11:
WYNNter Sunday FUNday — This is a free event at the Wynn Nature Center, Mile 1.5 E. Skyline Dr. Be curious, find adventure. There will be a naturalist-led exploration followed by hot dogs and s’mores for all from 2-4 p.m. Contact 235-6746 or info@akcoastalstudies.org.
Homer Council on the Arts — The Squirrel Nut Zippers are going to be doing a performance at the Mariner Theater at 7:30 p.m. The cost is $50 for a general ticket and $40 for an HCOA member ticket.
Free Skate — At the Kevin Bell Arena from 4-5:30 p.m., sponsored by NOMAR.
The Krewe of Gambrinus marches in the Homer Winter Carnival parade on Saturday. They won Best of Show in the parade contest. (Photo by Michael Armstrong, Homer News)
The Kachemak Bay Campus Student Association marches as a humpback whale in the Homer Winter Carnival parade on Saturday. They won in the category of Animals, Birds and Sea Creatures. (Photo by Michael Armstrong, Homer News)
Parade Marshal Queen Krewe of Gambrinus Hilda Caraballo waves at the crowd at the 2017 Homer Winter Carnival Parade on Saturday. (Photo by Michael Armstrong, Homer News)
The Krewe of Gambrinus marches in the Homer Winter Carnival parade on Saturday. They won Best of Show in the parade contest. (Photo by Michael Armstrong, Homer News)
The Krewe of Gambrinus marches in the Homer Winter Carnival parade on Saturday. They won Best of Show in the parade contest. (Photo by Michael Armstrong, Homer News)
The Kachemak Bay Campus Student Association marches as a humpback whale in the Homer Winter Carnival parade on Saturday. They won in the category of Animals, Birds and Sea Creatures. (Photo by Michael Armstrong, Homer News)
