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 in honor of America’s 250th birthday.

Whether you like to plan an entire itinerary ahead of time or would rather go with the flow, here’s a not-entirely but still decently comprehensive list of local Independence Day festivities. 

For more events, visit the Where Can I Homer+ community calendar.

Homer

The Kachemak Bay Highland Games return to Homer on Saturday, July 4. Held at Karen Hornaday Park from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 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 their annual American Legion Auxiliary Fourth of July Carnival on Saturday 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. On Saturday from 1-3 p.m., stop by the fire station on Pioneer Avenue for ice cream and popsicles. Tour the trucks and meet the HVFD first responders. Kids’ games and activities will also be available. 

The annual Homer Fourth of July Community Parade, organized by the Homer Chamber of Commerce, will take place on Pioneer Avenue starting at 3 p.m. Saturday. This year’s theme is “America the Beautiful.” Whether you’re participating 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 following the parade, the chamber hosts a free community celebration with food, music and games at the HERC property, 450 Sterling Highway, from 4-8 p.m. 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. Live music will be performed by the Copper River Band. 

Part of the celebration will also include a blue ribbon community competition from 4-6 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 will begin at 5:15 p.m., with winners announced at 6 p.m. 

Anchor Point

The annual Anchor Point Fourth of July parade will be held Saturday 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 at the Anchor Point VFW from 1-3 p.m. 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 will also host a special barbecue dinner on Saturday, 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 place. 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 also celebrates the Fourth with two days of community, fun and freedom. The celebration kicks off Friday, July 3 at noon 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. 

Ongoing all weekend are food vendors, a photo booth, lawn games and community gathering. 

For more information, visit the event Facebook page.

Ninilchik

The annual Ninilchik Rodeo will be held at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds, July 4-5. 

The rodeo will kick off Saturday at noon 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 take place at 2 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.

A Fourth of July dance, doubling as a fundraiser for the Alaska Equestrian Sports Club, will also be held Saturday from 8-11 p.m. at the fairgrounds. Admission is $5; dinners will be sold at $10 per plate. 

For further details, visit the Ninilchik Rodeo Facebook page.