Best Bets

Published 1:30 am Thursday, May 14, 2026

The tourist season has officially kicked off now that the Shorebird Festival has come and gone, and things are continuing to ramp up around Homer. The RV parks are filling up, the traffic is getting heavier and even more events like the annual Kachemak Bay Writers Conference are just around the corner! For details on what you can do and who you can help this spring season, take a look at these Best Bets.

BEST HOMER FOOD DRIVE BET: Mayday! Mayday! The cupboards at the Homer Community Food Pantry are bare! HCFP is reaching out to the community for help with their Spring Food Drive. Weekly numbers are continuing to go up — the food pantry reports a 22% increase in clients since this time last year and more are signing up weekly. Their client numbers have gone from 165 to 180+ families, but donations are way down and their funds are at a bare bones amount as prices continue to soar. Items needed include canned fruits, proteins, tuna, chicken, fish, beef, spam, peanut butter, pasta sauce, hearty soups, ravioli, chili, baked beans and more. Anything shelf stable will be appreciated! Together we can refill the cupboard! Bare Shelves, Big Hearts, HCFP Needs YOU! Donations: 907-435-1616. The Homer Community Food Pantry is housed by the Homer United Methodist Church at 770 East End Road.

BEST HOMER POTTERY TOUR BET: The annual Homer Pottery Tour returns Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, May 17, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. During this weekend, Homer potters open their studios to the public and invite visitors to deepen their understanding of each artist’s work, making this annual tour a unique window into working artists’ personal studio spaces and creative processes. Pottery Tour artists this year include Jenny Chamberlain, Paul Dungan, Marie Herdegen, Ahna Iredale, David Kaufmann, Cynthia Morelli, Jeff Szarzi and Lisa Wood. For more information and to find the studio locations, visit www.homerpotters.com/.

BEST TRAILS AND TALES BET: Join the Friends of the Kachemak Bay State Parks on Saturday, May 16, from 5-7 p.m., at the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center for “Trails and Tales of Kachemak Bay State Parks” with featured speaker Roman Dial. This free event will feature an evening of captivating stories, rich history and exciting updates about ongoing work on the trails of Alaska’s first state park. 95 Sterling Highway.

BEST SATURDAY MORNING SKATEBOARDING BET: Community members are invited to come out to the Homer Skatepark on Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for skateboarding lessons! May 23, May 30, June 6, June 13. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Expect lots of fun with cool and talented community members! Learn warm-ups and the basics of skateboarding from 10-11:30 a.m., then get into tricks, flows and techniques from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Helmets and pads are recommended; a small number of helmets, pads and boards are available to borrow for those who RSVP — first come, first served! To reserve your spot, email homerskateparkproject@gmail.com. A $15 donation is suggested for this event. Proceeds support the Homer Skatepark Project. 450 Sterling Highway.

BEST WEEKLY THERAPEUTIC YOGA BET: Yoga therapist and somatic coach Lakshmi Kanter will lead a series of weekly therapeutic yoga sessions, every Thursday in May from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the SPARC. Reduce stress, relax and manage your energy through this gently, adaptive class where we’ll practice breath, awareness and movement that bolsters your immune system. This free series is supportive for those navigating cancer, chronic illness, anxiety, depression or grief. Mats are provided; drop-ins and all levels are welcome. 600 Sterling Highway.

BEST FREE OPEN WALKS EXTENSION BET: South Peninsula Hospital’s free weekly open walks at the SPARC are now extended through August! Walkers of all ages and abilities are welcome every Monday, from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., throughout the summer. For more information, call 907-235-0285. 600 Sterling Highway.