For this weekend, the Best Bets are Fourth of July events. The Southern Kenai Peninsula features not just one big Fourth of July bash, but events all around the bay from Thursday to Monday in Anchor Point, Homer and Seldovia.
In Anchor Point, enjoy small town fun with barbecues, games and, of course, a parade around town and at the Anchor Point Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10221 on Milo Fritz Avenue. The fun runs from Friday night through Monday, with the parade at noon starting on School Street.
Homer starts the fun on Saturday with the Kachemak Bay Scottish Club’s annual Highland Games. Wear your clan kilt and compete in or watch traditional games, where braw lads and lassies hurl big rocks and logs. The games continue on Sunday, with music, food and crafts on both days.
On Monday, start the day at noon with the annual American Legion Post 16 Fourth of July Carnival at Mile 2.5 East End Road. Enjoy games for kids and a barbecue.
End the day with the parade on Pioneer Avenue. This year’s theme is “The First 50 Years: Celebrating Homer High School Graduates from 1940-1990,” a mega-reunion where Mariner alums gather to celebrate the classes of 1940 to 1990.
Across Kachemak Bay, the city of Seldovia, in partnership with Seldovia Village Tribe and the Seldovia Chamber of Commerce, “celebrates small town Independence Day in a big way,” as they say on the city’s website.
Founded in 1945, Seldovia recognizes a milestone with the 60th anniversary of its creation as a first-class city in 1962. Seldovia Mayor Jeremiah Campbell will celebrate the 60th anniversary with the Key to the City event. Sen. Lisa Murksoski, R-Alaska, will attend, and local, state and federal dignitaries have been invited. During the Independence Day Parade, photos of past Seldovia mayors will be displayed, and some of the mayors also join the parade. Diane Kaplan, CEO of the Rasmuson Foundation, is Seldovia’s Honorary Old Crab.
Anchor Point events
Friday, July 1: 5-7 p.m., Burger Night, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10221, Milo Fritz Avenue
Saturday, July 2: 1 p.m., Coin hunt and kids games, VFW Post 10221
2 p.m., Hot dogs and hamburgers, VFW Post 10221
3 p.m., Horseshoe Tournament, VFW Post 10221
Sunday, July 3: noon, Duck Race at Anchor River
2 p.m., Potluck and pool tournament, VFW Post 10221
5 p.m., Kbay Renegades, VFW Post 10221
Monday, July 4: noon, Fourth of July parade (line-up at 11 a.m.), School Street to Milo Fritz Avenue
1 p.m., Community barbecue and potluck, VFW Post 10221
3 p.m., Coin Hunt and kids games, VFW Post 10221
4 p.m., Bike drawing, VFW Post 10221
5 p.m., Truck raffle, VFW Post 10221
Homer events
Saturday, July 2: 9 a.m., Kachemak Bay Highland Games, Karen Hornaday Park. Admission, $10. Children under 16 with paying adult, free.
Noon, Kilted 5K race
2 p.m., 7 p.m., music by Whiskey jacks and the Harp Twins
3:30 p.m., a reading of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” will be performed by Pier One Theatre Group with participation of the Barony of IceFire Bay in the Battle Scene.
6 p.m., Celilidh, with pulled pork and beef sandwiches, coleslaw, baked beans and chips prepared and donated by Shawn Krause, AAA Punchlist Handyman Services and Renee Krause, Trailblazers of Alaska.
Lads and Lasses 16 and up are invited to sign up and participate in a competition like no other — throwing heavy weights for distance and height and seeing who can toss a tree trunk.
There will be music, acting, dancers, and activities for the littles and middles, and lest us not forget plenty of merchants offering their fine trade goods and delicious fare for your silver. Tickets on sale at the gate or at www.kachemakbayscottishclub.org.
Sunday July 3: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Kachemak Bay Highland Games, Karen Hornaday Park
2 p.m., music by Whiskey jacks and the Harp Twins
Monday, July 4: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., public tours of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Naushon, Homer Harbor
Noon-3 p.m., Fourth of July Carnival, American Legion Post 16, Mile 2.5 East End Road. Hot dogs, hamburgers, cotton candy, pies, fun games, new prizes and prizes for every game.
6 p.m., Pioneer Avenue, Fourth of July parade. The theme of this year’s parade is “The First 50 Years: Celebrating Homer High School Graduates from 1940-1990.” Parade entries line-up is at 4:30 p.m. at Homer High School.
Seldovia events
Thursday, June 30:
All day, Chinook fishing derby
1-4 p.m., Memory Lane
1-3 p.m., Kids games
5:30-7 p.m., Family bingo
Friday, July 1:
All day, Chinook fishing derby
1-5 p.m., Beach Party
6-9 p.m., Live music, Boardwalk Hotel
8 p.m. to midnight, Live music, Linwood Bar
Saturday, July 2:
All day, Chinook fishing derby
1-4 p.m., Memory Lane
1-3 p.m., Kids games
1-3 p.m., Alaska Blaskapelle Concert
3-5 p.m., Softball game
6-8 p.m., All-school reunion
6-9 p.m., Live music, Boardwalk Hotel
8 p.m. to midnight, Live music, Linwood Bar
Sunday, July 3:
All day, Chinook fishing derby
11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Patriotic Service and Potluck
1-4 p.m., Memory Lane
1-3 p.m., Kids games and bike decorating
2:30-3:30 p.m., Key to the City and 60th anniversary celebration
5-9 p.m., Barbecue and Concert on the Lawn, Boardwalk Hotel
8 p.m. to midnight, Live music, Linwood Bar
Monday, July 4:
7-10 a.m., Pancake breakfast
7-8:30 a.m., registration for the Salmon Shuffle 5K
9 a.m., Artist and crafts booths open
10 a.m., Lindwood Beer Garden opens
10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Annual book sale, library
11:30 a.m., Parade beings with Ceremonial kick-off and awards
Noon, Dessert and lunch basket auction
Noon-2 p.m., Spam Carving, Crabpot
Noon-2 p.m., Game Booths in harbor lot
12:30 p.m., Sawdust pile
1-3 p.m., Guppy Games
2 p.m., Adult Games on Main Street
2 p.m., Mermaid Rodeo on Main Street
3 p.m., 5K Chum Run
Time to be determined, Live music at Linwood Bar and on Main Street
3 p.m., Spam Carving judging
4 p.m., Rubber Ducky Race
6 p.m., Kayak Obstacle Course
7 p.m., Outside Beach barbecue and potluck
7 p.m., Live music at Linwood Bar
