Claiming the early part of Saturday, the Anchor Point Chamber of Commerce rolls out a July Fourth red carpet with a parade along Beach Road, beginning at 1 p.m. If it's anything like years past, the parade is a good opportunity for youngsters to fill their pockets with treats tossed from passing floats.

The popular duck race comes next. Blue plastic ducks sell for $1 each, pink ducks are $3 each and yellow ducks are $5 each. Released upstream of the Anchor River bridge, duck "owners" line the river banks, cheering and hoping their duck is the first, second or third across the finish line. Blue first-, second- and third-place finishers earn $35, $20 and $10, respectively; pink prizes are $100, $50 and $25; and owners of winning yellow ducks receive $200, $100 and $50.

The fun doesn't stop there. The nine fastest ducks -- three of each color -- face-off in a grand champion race, the winner taking home an extra $100.

After that, a community picnic is sure to draw a crowd, and includes chili and dessert cook-offs.

"The chamber provides hot dogs, chips and beverages. We are asking, if you wish to join us, to please bring a side dish," said Chyrell Richardson of the chamber.

The fun usually wraps up around 3 p.m., leaving time to get to Homer for the festivities or Ninilchik for the rodeo or, with a little planning, across the bay to Seldovia's festivities.

Homer

Kids are the focus of a pancake breakfast hosted by Homer Boys and Girls Club. It's all-you-can-eat for the price of $8. Kids also are the center of attention at the American Legion Auxiliary's 26th annual carnival at Mile 2.5 East End Road.

"This year we have a clown making animals balloons, face painting with paints made in the U.S.A., a dunk tank and games for the kids," said organizer Nora Anderson.

Tickets for the games cost $.50-$1.00. While deciding which game to play, there are hot dogs, hamburgers, cotton candy and homemade pies to enjoy.

Happening at the same time is a raffle sponsored by the Sons of the American Legion. Only 100 tickets are being sold, each ticket costs $100. There are multiple cash prizes for tickets drawn, with $2,500 going to the 100th ticket.

"And then everybody who hasn't won, if they're there, we have a second chance prize," Anderson said. "If you're drawn, it's $100, but you must be present to win."

That's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Homer fun. Antique car buffs can see some old-time beauties in Spenard Builders Supply's parking lot. The Elks Lodge heats up its grill for an annual Fourth of July barbecue, beginning at noon. It benefits the Elks' scholarship fund, includes games for the kids and a raffle drawing with more than $16,000 in cash prizes. The Homer Yacht Club takes the fun to the water in the afternoon, with a race that begins near the Deep Water Dock. Down East Saloon has its annual pig roast in the afternoon, with live music starting in the evening. Celebrating 35 years in business, Bay Realty is holding its block party for the 10th year. Tables set up in the parking lot offer a place to sit down and enjoy a hot dog beginning at 4 p.m. Beverages are available for a donation benefiting the Mariner football team.

"Celebrate Alaska's 50th" is the theme of this year's parade, a nod toward Alaska's 50 years of statehood and a chance to remember the 1950s.

"Children, decorate your bikes. Don your 1950s costume, bring your antique car, adorn your pen," said Sharon Ford, Homer Chamber of Commerce parade coordinator.

Entries need to report to the Homer High School parking lot by 5 p.m., with the parade start at 6 p.m.

"One thing we definitely want people to know is that we want to honor people that have been here since statehood," Ford said. "We want enough antique cars so that if someone comes in, there'll be room for them (in the parade)."

The public is invited to an evening picnic coordinated by the city of Homer and held at the Elks Lodge. It includes salmon, a pig roast, hamburgers, hot dogs, salads, chips, beverages and dancing to music by Bull Don and the Moose Nuggets. From the central peninsula, the band will feature music from, of course, the 1950s, everything from Patti Page's slow-moving "Tennessee Waltz" to Bill Haley's upbeat "Rock Around the Clock."

"We're encouraging people to break out their poodle skirts, saddle shoes, white T-shirts and get into the 1950s celebration," said statehood committee member Terry Felde. "It's all free - the food, entertainment, everything."

As a special salute to statehood, a group photo will be taken at 8 p.m., with hopes of including everyone that was in Homer when Alaska transitioned from being a territory to being a state.

Anybody wanting to keep dancing can boogie over to Duggan's Waterfront Pub for an 80s dance review starting at 10 p.m.

Seldovia

The fun isn't just on this side of Kachemak Bay. There's plenty happening in Seldovia, as anyone who has been there July Fourth knows.

The Salmon Shuffle, a 5K event, begins at 9 a.m. That's short enough to walk; long enough to work up a sweat. The $20 registration fee includes a T-shirt.

The Seldovia parade wouldn't be a parade without its Old Crab. This year's honoree is Doug Pieren, a well know gardening expert who has "lived here forever," said Dede Higman, event coordinator. Also being honored as Seldovia's Citizen of the Year is Sunni Hilts, one of the community's strongest advocates and vice president of the Kenai Peninsula Borough school board.

"She puts a lot into it," Higman said of Hilts' support of Seldovia.

Auctions, baked goods, art and craft booths fill the small community for the holiday, but events like log rolling and jousting from a canoe in Seldovia Bay guarantee roars of appreciation from beachside spectators.

"We have a great log this year for log rolling," said Higman, adding with a laugh that the greased pole climb promises to be better than last year. "We promise not to put so much grease on it that no one can get off the ground."

Expecting a crowd, Seldovia will have restaurants open and plenty of camping space if hotels and B&Bs are full. Adding extra space for visitors, the M/V Tustumena will tie up for the weekend, beginning July 2.

When making travel plans to visit Seldovia for the Fourth, be sure to book your departure after the community potluck Sunday afternoon.

For a schedule of Fourth of July events, see page XX.

McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibbenjackinsky.@homernews.com.