Photos and Info Courtesy of Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby

Tony DeMichelle, the first jackpot winner in the Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby

The Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby began in the summer of 1986 as the brain-child of a committee dedicated to promoting business in Homer and enhancing tourism for the community. The committee and the Chamber of Commerce took a leap of faith in creating this derby. With $5,000 in seed money and a few local businesses supporting a then unheard of tagged fish program, the derby was off and running. The derby committee of 1986 showed amazing foresight as they prepared for what has proven to be the most solid Jackpot Derby in the State of Alaska. Many aspects of the derby began with logical thinking and attention to detail, like the captain’s prize, ticket sellers, promotional tools and the many mathematical formulas needed to build a fail-safe contest.

The first Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby began on Memorial Day and went to Labor Day of 1986. That summer a local fisherman, Tony DeMichelle, won the derby with his 312 pound halibut. The first Jackpot prize was the $5,000 put in from the Chamber of Commerce. Tony was awarded his prize at the Chamber luncheon meeting on September 9, 1986 . . . and the rest is history!

The Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby is the longest running derby in Alaska and boasts the largest jackpot, too. Locally, the Derby is one of the largest fundraisers for the Chamber of Commerce, making up over 20% of the Chamber’s general fund annually. The derby draws anglers from all over which impacts the local economy tremendously. Still running strong, the Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby is the best game in town!

Visit the official derby site at www.homerhalibutderby.com