A dreary, rainy afternoon gave way to bright sunshine falling across Homer just in time for this year’s Homer Winter Carnival Parade last Saturday.
Held every year as part of the weekend-long carnival hosted by the Homer Chamber of Commerce, the parade showcases floats from various groups, organizations, businesses and individuals. This year’s carnival theme celebrated the 50th anniversary of Kachemak Bay State Park, and the parade grand marshals were Clem Tillion and Roger MacCampbell.
This year’s theme drew a number of creative floats and presentations to the parade. The ever-colorful Krewe of Gambrinus took to Pioneer Avenue dressed as wild things from “Where the Wild Things Are.” The Friends of Kachemak Bay State Park had a live campfire burning on their float, complete with bundled up little campers sitting around it. Kachemak Bay State Park Ranger Jason Okuly made a good show of chasing a parade goer in a bear costume around the floats for the park, keeping the rest of the parade marchers — and the greater Kachemak Bay area — safe from harm.
Alaska State Parks won the best in show award in the parade, while Friends of Kachemak Bay State Park won the award for best use of theme, according to a Facebook announcement made by the chamber.
Here are the full parade prize results, according to the chamber’s Facebook post:
Best Antique Car — Joshua Nielsen, 1955 International Antique Pickup. $50 prize.
Best Performing Arts and Music — Krewe of Gambrinus. $50 prize.
Best Animals, Birds or Sea Creatures — Kachemak Bay Campus, Harmony the Whale. $50 prize.
Best Use of Theme — Friends of Kachemak Bay State Park. $75 prize.
Best of Show — Alaska State Parks. $75 prize.
Best Children’s Group — Troop 280 Girl Scouts and Den 10 Club Scouts. $75 prize.
Judge’s Sentimental Favorite — Krewe of Gambrinus. $75 prize.
Reach Megan Pacer at mpacer@homernews.com.
A parade participant plays a bike horn with the Krewe of Gambrinus float during this year’s Homer Winter Carnival Parade on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020 in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Members of the club Krewe of Gambrinus march in this year’s Homer Winter Carnival Parade on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020 on Pioneer Avenue in Homer, Alaska. They marched dressed as wild things from “Where the Wild Things Are.” (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
A parade participant with the Krewe of Gambrinus float dances in this year’s Homer Winter Carnival Parade on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020 on Pioneer Avenue in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
A parade participant plays a bike horn with the Krewe of Gambrinus float during this year’s Homer Winter Carnival Parade on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020 in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
A parade marcher in a bear costume hands out goodies to families attending this year’s Homer Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020 on Pioneer Avenue in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Representatives of the Kenai Peninsula League of Women Voters, based on the central peninsula, walk in this year’s Homer Winter Carnival Parade on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020 on Pioneer Avenue in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Classic and ice racing cars make their way down Pioneer Avenue during this year’s Homer Winter Carnival Parade on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020 in Homer, Alaska. Ice races were held after the parade on Beluga Lake. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Former Mayor Bryan Zak drives the car for the float representing Mayor Ken Castner’s office during this year’s Homer Winter Carnival Parade on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020 on Pioneer Avenue in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Homer Mayor Ken Castner marches in this year’s Homer Winter Carnival Parade on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020 on Pioneer Avenue in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Parade participants representing trail crews who work on Kachemak Bay State Park trails march in this year’s Homer Winter Carnival parade on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020 on Pioneer Avenue in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Parade participants with the Friends of Kachemak Bay State Park float move along Pioneer Avenue in this year’s Homer Winter Carnival Parade on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020 in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Representatives from the Alaska State Parks march in this year’s Homer Winter Carnival Parade on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2020 on Pioneer Avenue in Homer, Alaska. This year’s theme was a tribute to the 50th anniversary of Kachemak Bay State Park. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
