Taste Abounds in Homer Each Fall.

• Author: PILKINGTON, STEVE

Travelers in Southeast Alaska this month have a perfect chance to take in some food and fun while seeing the sights around Homer, Kachemak Bay or visiting the Homer Spit. And if luck is along, one will take home a brand new vehicle to boot.

The Taste of Homer, an annual event usually held on a Saturday at the Homer High School commons area, will be held Oct. 8 this year, on a Sunday.

"This year we're trying something new," said Derotha Ferraro of the Homer Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the annual festival of food. The school is having sporting events every Saturday this month so organizers decided to give Sunday a try.

Ferraro said she hopes the change of day may actually attract more visitors since people will not have to cook after church or while trying to enjoy a relaxing day away from work. Local Homer food vendors set up booths and offer some of their specialties while surrounded by live music and activities for the families.

"There's no political campaign booths, nothing like that," Ferraro said. The goal is for everyone to have fun and the vendors offer specialties that can be bought for about a dollar. The Taste begins at 11 a.m. and runs until 6 p.m., so visitors can take care of both lunch and dinner.

Usually about 15 or 16 restaurants and food shops set up booths, and among the regulars are the Homestead Restaurant and the Fresh Sourdough Express. Homer has held the Taste for the past 10 years.

"Our average attendance is about 1,000 people," Ferraro...