By Delcenia Cosman
Reporter, Homer Independent Press
Like everywhere else in the country, Southern Kenai Peninsula communities are going all out this year in their Fourth of July celebrations to honor America’s 250th birthday.
Whether you like to plan your itinerary ahead of time or go with the flow, here’s a not-entirely but still decently comprehensive list of local Independence Day festivities planned for Saturday, July 4.
For more events, visit the Where Can I Homer+ community calendar.
Homer
The Kachemak Bay Highland Games return to Homer 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Karen Hornaday Park. Join in for a full day of family-friendly fun celebrating Scottish culture and heritage. There’s something for everything at the Highland Games, from live thrilling athletic events and games for kids to live music and local vendors. Admission is free. For more information, find the event Facebook page.
The American Legion Post 16 in Homer will host its annual American Legion Auxiliary Fourth of July Carnival from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Join for family-friendly fun including a barbecue, games and prizes. The Legion is located at 2410 East End Road.
The Homer Volunteer Fire Department will open its doors to the community before the annual Homer Fourth of July parade. Stop by the fire station on Pioneer Avenue from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.for ice cream and popsicles. Tour the trucks and meet the HVFD first responders. Kids’ games and activities also will be available.
The annual Homer Fourth of July Community Parade down Pioneer Avenue, organized by the Homer Chamber of Commerce, starts at 3 p.m. This year’s theme is “America the Beautiful.” Whether you’re in the parade or just want to cheer parade walkers on from the sidelines, don’t miss out on Homer’s biggest, once-in-a-generation milestone Fourth of July celebration!
Immediately after the parade, the chamber will host a free community celebration with food, music and games 4 to 8 p.m.at the HERC property, 450 Sterling Highway. Event highlights include kids’ games and activities, free hot dogs and hamburgers, a beer garden, food trucks and specialty vendors offering coffee, soda, ice cream and other treats. The Copper River Band will perform live.
Part of the celebration also will include a blue ribbon community competition from 4 to 6 p.m. Bring in your best pies, preserves, pickled products, smoke fish dishes, relishes, sauces, salsas, flowers and more to earn a prize! Entries will be accepted between 4 and 5 p.m. All food entries must follow current National Center for Home Food Preparation guidelines and practices. First-place prizes will be awarded in each category. Judging begins at 5:15 p.m., with winners announced at 6 p.m.
Anchor Point
The annual Anchor Point Fourth of July parade will start at noon. All are welcome to participate. The parade route starts at Greatland Worship Center, 73358 School Street, connects to HMS Resolution Road, then turns onto Milo Fritz Avenue before ending at the VFW Post 10221.
A potluck will immediately follow the parade from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Anchor Point VFW. Hot dogs will be provided; community members are asked to join in the fun and bring a dish to share.
For more information on how to be a part of the Fourth of July parade, call 907-399-6025.
The VFW also will host a special barbecue dinner starting at 5 p.m. and available until sold out. A $22 donation is suggested for each meal. Reserve meals ahead of time by calling 907-235-5582. Live music by Butch Leman and Bobby Mitchell will start at 6 p.m.
The fun continues on Sunday, July 5, with the annual Anchor River Duck Race. Join others at the Anchor River Bridge at noon to watch colorful ducks race down the river to the finish line. Cash prizes will be awarded to participants for first, second and third places. Ducks are available for sale through July 3 at the Anchor Point VFW, Thurmond’s Far West Auto, Ninilchik Legion Post 18 and Spenard Builders Supply or VBS Heating in Homer.
For more information on Anchor Point Fourth of July Events, visit the VFW Post 10221 Facebook page.
Seldovia
Across Kachemak Bay, Seldovia celebrates the Fourth with two days of community, fun and freedom. The celebration kicks off noon on Friday, July 3, and continues through Saturday evening.
Friday activities will include bike decorating, a color run, a scavenger hunt, rooftop concert and live music. Start fresh Saturday with a community pancake breakfast, followed by the annual Salmon Shuffle 5K race, a library book sale, kids’ carnival games, the Fourth of July parade, a grandstand ceremony and more.
Food vendors, a photo booth, lawn games and community gathering are ongoing all weekend.
For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
Ninilchik
The annual Ninilchik Rodeo will be July 4 and 5 at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds.
The rodeo kicks off at noon on Saturday with the beach horse races on the Ninilchik beach. Attendees are asked to park at the Inlet View Lodge or The Buzz Espresso and walk down the state park stairs to the beach. Limited parking is available near the public boat launch.
The family-style rodeo will start at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
A Fourth of July dance, doubling as a fundraiser for the Alaska Equestrian Sports Club, will be 8 to 11 p.m. on Saturday at the fairgrounds. Admission is $5; dinners will be sold at $10 per plate.
For more details, visit the Ninilchik Rodeo Facebook page.
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