16th Annual Homer Winterfest

For the past 15 years the Village of Homer has held its WinterFest celebration 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 29th and 30th and will include a full slate of over 32 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 new Facebook page, contain links to everything WinterFest including schedules, event descriptions, photos, and how to participate.

The fun kicks off on Friday night (January 29th) with a fish fry dinner at the Homer Elks Lodge  and a play at the Phillips Free Library.  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 a community dance at the American Legion.

Saturday (January 30th) is packed with events including a parade on Main Street and fun competitions like the village-wide snow sculpture contest, chili cook-off and HoBeau’s, the wing eating contest at the Homer Elks, and the perennial favorite: the human dog sled race on the green.

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, barbeque chicken on Main Street, ala carte lunch by Linani’s at the Junior High School, Victorian Tea at the Brewster House, Wingfest and beer tasting at the Homer Elks, Wine tasting and Hors-d’Oeuvres at the American Legion, and an evening Clamfest at the Homer Elks.  All local restaurants as well as food trucks 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 for the expanded children’s events featuring Joshua J. Superstar at 1:00.  The fun includes games, crafts, face painting, cookie decorating, a photo booth, food & drinks, and much more.

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 Burns Sisters at the Center for the Arts.