The annual Winter King Salmon Tournament is back and bringing more than 1,000 fishermen and women down to Homer’s harbor this weekend.

Now in its 24th year, the tournament can accept up to 1,500 entries for the one-day king salmon fishing event in Kachemak Bay.

With the headquarters at Coal Point Seafoods on the Homer Spit, members of the public are encouraged to participate on Saturday by heading over for music, beer and food during the weigh-in process when the anglers come back in with their catches.

Boats will begin arriving back to the harbor in the late afternoon, around 4 p.m. The tournament runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Weigh-in for caught fish is from 2-6 p.m. and awards will be given out around 7 p.m.

This year, the Homer Chamber of Commerce has more than $170,000 to give away in prizes, according to a post on the official Homer Winter King Salmon Tournament Facebook page.

Last year, Charlie Edwards, aboard the Optimist, won a top prize of $25, 280 for catching the largest salmon, which came in at 24.6 pounds.

Incoming results of the biggest fish in the running for the top prize will be posted as they come in on the Chamber’s website.

Both the Alibi Bar & Cafe and Alice’s Champagne Palace will also host tournament after parties.

Reach Megan Pacer at mpacer@homernews.com.