The Homer Farmers Market was particularly festive on Saturday with the return of the annual Zucchini Festival. A longtime market tradition, the festival went on hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic before being brought back in 2023.
Kids were invited to build and decorate their zucchini cars earlier Saturday morning in preparation for the zucchini races commencing that afternoon.
Shortly after 1 p.m., marketgoers witnessed the dawn of a new reign as this year’s Zucchini Queenie was crowned. Former queen Christina Castellanos, owner and operator of Snowshow Hollow Farm, led a parade around part of the market before stopping at Synergy Gardens’ booth to pass the mantle on to Lori Jenkins.
Jenkins is the co-owner of Synergy Gardens, with her husband, Wayne, and the founder of the Alaska Garlic Project. Synergy Gardens is a family farm located east of Homer and has been in operation for 12 years.
Kids participating in the parade crowded close to the booth as Castellanos placed the crown and cape on Jenkins, who immediately made a wish that all the kids would grow up to be gardeners.
“I’m thrilled to be crowned Zucchini Queenie — it is such an honor,” Jenkins told Homer News on Monday.
She said she has a wish that “everyone can experience the joy of growing food and gardening” and is thrilled that the Zucchini Festival was resurrected.
“For children … to participate in a festival with zucchini at the farmers market, it just gives them that added exposure of the fun of homegrown food,” she said. “Life doesn’t get any realer than that.”
Learn more about Synergy Gardens online at synergygardens.net/, or find them at the Homer Farmers Market, open on Wednesdays from 2-5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1155 Ocean Drive.
Former Zucchini Queen Christina Castellanos, owner and operator of Snowshoe Hollow Farm, prepares to lead the parade around the market during the annual Zucchini Festival on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, at the Homer Farmers Market in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Volunteer Joey Lothian (left) returns as emcee and race operator during the annual Zucchini Festival on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, at the Homer Farmers Market in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Medics pick up fallen zucchini cars from the bottom of the race track during the Zucchini Festival on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, at the Homer Farmers Market in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
