53rd carnival casts spell on winter Bright sunshine. Blue sky. Sparkling snow. And a whole lot to do. </MCC HEAD>

Story last updated at 10:08 PM on Wednesday, February 11, 2009

53rd carnival casts spell on winter Bright sunshine. Blue sky. Sparkling snow. And a whole lot to do.

It just doesn't get any better.

Beginning Thursday with the Alaska Ocean Film Festival and the announcement of Citizen of the Year -- Chip Duggan -- and Business of the Year -- Best Western Bidarka Inn -- and continuing all weekend, the 53rd Homer Winter Carnival was an event to remember.
It also conjured up memories. This year's theme, "It's About Time," paid tribute to Alaska's 50th anniversary of statehood.
The State Open Dart Tournament and the annual Girls Winter Carnival Hockey Jamboree kept the action hot Friday. Later that night, masked partiers hit the dance floor at the Mardi Gras ball, with music by Rayjen Cajun at Down East Saloon.

Photographer: Aaron Selbig, Homer News

The Krewe of Gambrinus Marching Band, which took home the $400 first place prize in the "Best Non-Profit" category and entertained the crowd along Pioneer Avenue with colorful costumes, dancing and New Orleans jazz.

Saturday's parade was a definite crowd pleaser. Onlookers lined Pioneer Avenue, cheering for friends and neighbors on floats, in bands and in costume. The AT&T panel of judges, who flew down from Anchorage especially for the parade, awarded prizes to:
Cook Inletkeeper, featuring the Krewe of Gambrinus Marching Band, $400 best nonprofit;
Kilcher Family Living Museum, $200 best individual-family;
Mark Marette, Trails End Horse Adventures, $100 best for profit;
Mermaids of Haven House, $100 Judges' Choice; and
Brownie Troop No. 137, $50 Judges Choice.
After the parade, a number of events offered a chance to come in from the cold. There was hot chocolate served at Friendship Center, a kid-sized carnival at Paul Banks Elementary School, a bazaar at the Elks Club, more darts, more hockey and more films. Sizzling race car action on Beluga Lake drew a swarm of honking, waving, cheering fans. The Inlet Winds Community Band took over Mariner Theatre for an outstanding evening performance. Music performed by other bands shook the walls until late in the evening at local watering holes.
Sunday, the carnival finally came to a close, but not before snowmachiners raced each other around the track in Anchor Point, darts continued to be thrown, hockey sticks continued to clash and cars-on-ice continued to entertain.