"We've got the American Legion doing a (parade) float that's going back to get all the businesses and folks that were here 50 years ago," Linda Broadhead of the chamber said of excitement building for Saturday's parade.

Tonight, the carnival swings into action with citizen and business of the year awards presented at the chamber's monthly mixer. This month's event is held from 5-7 p.m. at the Homer News, celebrating its 45th anniversary.

Nominees for citizen of the year are Peg Coleman, executive director of Haven House; Chip Duggan, owner of Duggan's Waterfront Pub; Derotha Ferraro, director of marketing and public relations for South Peninsula Hospital; and Barb Glidden, volunteer with numerous local nonprofits. Nominees for business of the year are Best Western Bidarka Inn, Homer Physical Therapy and Moore and Moore Services.

"This is a big one," Broadhead said of the mixer. "We'll be celebrating (Homer News') 45th and I think it's going to be great awards. ... It's important to recognize (the nominees) that have worked so hard, the wonderful things they've done. We live in such a wonderful community."

The evening's next event -- the Alaska Ocean Film Festival -- begins at 6 p.m. Sponsored by Alaska Center for the Environment, it includes a collection of short and not-so-short films, some by Alaska filmmakers and some featuring other locales. See related story, page 16.

Friday's carnival events include the state open dart tournament. It will be held at Wasabi's, begins at 5 p.m. and continues through Sunday.

For the second year, Homer will hold the Girls Winter Carnival Hockey Jamboree at the Kevin Bell Arena. Two local teams -- the Homer Glacier Girls and Duggan's Divas -- and teams from Anchorage and Eagle River will take to the ice. This is the second year Homer has held the jamboree, according to Blake LaRue, manager for Homer Glacier Girls, a team of 12- to 16-year-old hockey players. Admission is free. Games start at 6 p.m. Friday. For more information, call the arena, 235-2647.

Several galleries are opening their doors for First Friday events from 5-7 p.m. Picture Alaska, Back Room Gallery at Ptarmigan Arts and Bunnell Street Arts Center invite the public in to see new exhibits.

Kachemak Bay Campus continues its foreign film series Friday with a 7 p.m. showing of "Moolaad'e, a 2004 film from Senegal.

Live entertainment wraps up the evening at several local establishments, including the Mardi Gras Ball featuring the music of RayJean Cajun at Down East Saloon.

Saturday's parade promises to draw a crowd. Among those giving the floats a close eye are judges provided by AT&T in Anchorage.

"They provide cash prizes for the parade and just love to come to Homer," Broadhead said.

Prize categories include $400 for best nonprofit; $200 for best individual-family entry; $100 for best business; a judges' choice award of $100 and a second judges' choice award for $50.

It isn't too late to get into the parade.

"Be at the high school between 11-11:30 a.m. to get your entry form filled out," Broadhead said.

Free donuts and hot chocolate at Friendship Center between 1-3 p.m. promises to take the chill off Saturday's predicted chilly temperatures.

The Paul Banks Elementary School Carnival guarantees fun for the younger crowd during the afternoon. And a bazaar at the Homer Elks Club offers a showcase for local crafters, artists and small, home-based businesses.

"It's a wonderful opportunity for small individual, home-based businesses and crafts and anybody with a product to sell that doesn't have a store front and wants to market," Broadhead said. "I bought some great things there last year and was surprised what a great event it was."

Add to that car races on Beluga Lake, a history film festival at Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center, a home brew contest at Best Western Bidarka Inn and an evening concert by Inlet Winds Community Band and it's a full day of excitement.

Again, the evening wraps up with live entertainment at several area hot spots.

Sunday, the fun spreads toward Anchor Point with snowmachine races at Griner's gravel pit.

The action in Homer continues with the hockey jamboree, dart tournament, car races and bazaar.

"It's always a good time," Broadhead said of the midwinter celebration.

The problem is trying to do it all.

"The weekend comes to an end and you think there's so much you missed. It's over and there's still more things you'd like to have done," she said.

With an eye over her shoulder at the 52 previous years, Broadhead added, "There's always next year."

For a schedule of Winter Carnival events, see pages 14 and 15.

McKibben Jackinsky can be contacted at mckibben.jackinsky@homernews.com.