Burning Basket video streaming announced

The burning of the 17th annual Burning Basket, “Reimagine,” will be streamed live on Facebook and YouTube, facilitator Mavis Muller announced in a press release on Monday, Sept. 7.

The event begins at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, and starts with a slideshow and a drone video of past basket burnings, live music, poetry readings, dance and an artist talk by Muller. To watch the event, visit www.facebook.com/BurningBasketProject or go to YouTube and search for Homer Burning Basket 2020.

The basket will be available for viewing and interaction from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13 at Wisdom, Knowledge, Faith and Love Park on Pioneer Avenue. It is currently being built at Muller’s home and will be burned at a private location.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Muller canceled plans to hold a public burning of the basket at its usual location at Mariner Park. Muller cited concerns about how to keep people safe in an event that in the past has drawn crowds of up to several hundred people.

The event is billed as an opportunity of remembrance and unburdening, and people are invited to leave messages and mementos on the basket. Muller said there will also be spruce cones available for people to tuck in the walls of the basket “to represent a thought or intention in the theme of ‘Reimagine.’”

The pre-burning presentation also will highlight volunteers of all ages who have helped, from kindergarteners at Little Fireweed Academy to elder Florence Penrod, 98, who has baked cookies for the basket builders. A drumming circle will play at the burning and fire spinners will perform afterward. The basket will be burned near sundown at 8:30 p.m.