17th Annual Homer Winterfest

The 17th annual Village of Homer WinterFest celebration is just around the corner.  The festival is held each year around the beginning of February and every year the event has grown to include more events, more food, and more visitors. This year Homer WinterFest will be held Friday and Saturday January 27th and 28th and will include a full slate of over 33 traditional activities and updated events.  The all-volunteer WinterFest organizers work hard each year to bring together this high-quality festival.

Brochures with the full WinterFest schedule and map are available at most area businesses.  The event’s website, www.homerwinterfest.org, as well as a Facebook page, contain links to everything WinterFest including schedules, event descriptions, photos, and how to participate.

The fun kicks off on Friday night (January 27th) with a fish fry dinner at the Homer Elks Lodge,  a film at the Phillips Free Library, and the opening of the Community Arts Challenge at the Center for the Arts.  Food and drinks are served at the American Legion to accompany a bonfire at the Paul Hill Community Building and fireworks launched from a nearby hilltop.  Friday finishes off with D.J. Philly C’s at the American Legion.

Saturday (January 28th) is packed with events including a parade on Main Street and fun competitions like the village-wide snow sculpture contest, chili cook-off at HoBeau’s, the wing eating contest at the Homer Elks, and the perennial favorite: the human dog sled race on the green.   All are invited to participate in these events – see www.homerwinterfest.org for instructions.

Food and drink abound at WinterFest, with a pancake breakfast at the Paul Hill Community Building, Methodist Church pie sale, pizza and moon pies at the Senior Center, barbecued chicken on Main Street, WingFest and craft beer tasting at the Homer Elks, Wine tasting and Hors-d’Oeuvres at the American Legion, and an evening Clamfest at the Homer Elks.  New this year: cheese tasting by Bill Anderson’s Farm Market will accompany the wine tasting event.  All local restaurants will be serving up their specialty fare throughout the event.

Shop regional antique vendors at the Antiques Show at the Junior High School gym and browse local crafters at the Craft Show at the Middle School gym.  Brush the dust off your old antiques and have them professionally appraised for a small fee at our “Antiques Road Show” from 11:30-2:30 at the Junior High School.  Find hidden treasures at the Senior Center flea market.

Bundle up the kids and bring them to the Homer Elementary School from 10:00 – 2:00 for the fun-filled children’s events including games, crafts, face painting, cookie decorating, food & drinks, and much more.  And don’t miss the stunts, comedy, and juggling of Joshua J. Superstar at 1:00.

Outdoor activities include ice skating, a  youth hockey demonstration, and a snowshoe demonstration on the Green, snowmobile rides behind Super Scoops, and chainsaw carving on the Green.

Saturday evening entertainment includes D.J. Philly C’s at the Homer Elks and the Community Cabaret at the Center for the Arts.