Winter Experience - Homer's Winter Carnival

A Homer-Made Chinese Dragon

2015 saw the 61^st annual Winter Carnival, a classic, small town celebration of winter with the theme "Warm Winter Hearts"  The carnival is held in February, the coldest
part of the year.  The crown of the carnival is the Winter Carnival Parade.  The parade is open to everyone and prizes are awarded for the most creative displays. 

Homer - Alaska's Banana Belt

Jousters from the Cycling Club

In 2015, the Carnival took place on an unusually warm (45 degrees) gloomy day.  There had been no snow for most of the winter and we were starting to call this the year that winter forgot.  But bad weather can't stop Homerites!  The show must go on, on go on it did.  The parade started with a display of lights from the police and fire departments followed by the colors.  Then the fun began.  Anyone who wants to can join in the parade, so there are floats from nearly every club and community center in the town, not to mention a few businesses.  There is an award for the most creative display and in Homer people can get very creative indeed.  The children like it too, since most of the marcher toss candy to the crowd.

Homer the Halibut

Senior Musicians

Other activities for the Carnival include the “Mr. Homer” contest, outhouse races along Pioneer Avenue, a home brew contest, and a 5K run.  There are many other events that vary year-to year during this four-day festival.  The Winter Carnival usually includes Beluga Lake Ice Racing, but in 2015, the winter was too warm and the ice wasn’t thick enough for racing.