PHILLIPS — As the town celebrates its bicentennial year, Old Home Days marks its 55th year with a grand display of festivities and fireworks
Events start Saturday, Aug. 11, when amateur photographers arrive in the morning at Phillips Hardware with their entries. Categories include hog wild, animals, scenery and people. Photos will be displayed in the storefront windows during the rest of the week.
Other events include a golf scramble, a talent show, a flower and garden display, a children’s parade, a grand parade and a spectacular fireworks display on Saturday, Aug. 18.
Winona Davenport will host an old-fashioned golf challenge, with early to mid-1900s clubs and balls. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., anyone can stop by “Justafield” on Route 4
“People can try some of the equipment that many of the most famous names in golf used,” she said.
Equipment standards have evolved, she said. The patented “Haskell” ball became widely used in the early 1900s. It was a composite of a solid core wound with rubber string covered in gutta percha, a form of natural rubber. The basic three-piece design would become the standard for the next 90 years.
Into the 1930s, golfers or their caddies could carry 20 to 30 clubs of varying styles and uses. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews introduced its 14-club rule in 1939. The traditional names of brassie, mashee and niblick were also replaced by the standard numbering system in use today.
On Friday, Aug. 17, the parade will feature floats with the theme “200 Years and still Hog Wild.” Entrants will compete for cash prizes and the coveted Judges’ Choice award.
On Saturday night, if good weather holds, revelers will enjoy spectacular fireworks at North Franklin Park. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, fireworks will be rescheduled for Sunday evening.
“The fireworks display is happening because of dedicated volunteer fundraising efforts and our town of Phillips’ generous support,” Phillips Chamber of Commerce President Janet White said.
This year’s honored couple, Steve and Jill Smith have been actively involved in the Phillips Community for more than 40 years. They help at many events, including Phillips Old Home Days festivities.
They have prepared the Old Home Days bean-hole beans and chicken barbecue for several years, and they organize and run the horse pulls at North Franklin Park. The Smiths have two sons, Steven, 41, and Joe, 38, and grandchildren Nick, Gage, Anthony and Trace.
Old Home Days schedule of events
Saturday, Aug. 11
8 a. m. to noon: Amateur photo contest submissions, Phillips Hardware
Sunday, Aug. 12
Noon: Volleyball tournament, North Franklin Park
Monday, Aug. 13
5 to 7 p. m.: Mt. Abram Seniors’ Bake and Craft Sale
Tuesday, Aug. 14
5 to 8 p. m.: Cruise In Night, Country Delight
7 p. m.: Talent Show, Phillips Elementary School
Wednesday, Aug. 15
6 p. m.: Doubles cribbage, American Legion Hall
5 p. m.: Sandy River Business Association, Community Center
7 p. m.: Maranacook String Band, Phillips Congregational Church
Thursday, Aug. 16
5 to 8 p. m.: Flower Show, Phillips Library. Theme: Phillips Memorial with Flowers
10 a. m. to 4 p. m.: Old-fashioned Golf Challenge, Justafield on Route 4
Dusk: 15th Annual Golf Ball Drop, Justafield on Route 4
6 p. m.: Giant banana spilt, Lighthouse Church
7 p. m.: Fashion Revue, Phillips Elementary School
Friday, Aug. 17
8 a. m. to 5 p. m.: Phillips Historical Society Arts and Crafts Fair
8 a. m. to 1 p. m.: Everything Sale, Community Center
9 a. m. to 4 p. m.: Phillips Fire and Rescue Lawn Sale. Location to be announced.
10 a. m. to 4 p. m.: Jailhouse lock-ups, Main Street
10 a. m. to 5 p. m.: Annual Quilt Show, Congregational Church
11 a. m. to 3 p. m.: Train Rides, Dill Woods
Noon to 4 p. m.: Flower Show, Phillips Library Annex
1 to 5 p. m.: Wonderland, Main Street
1 to 4 p. m.: Agricultural Building Open House, North Franklin Park
Noon to sunset, Airplane rides, Lindbergh Airport
1 to 4 p. m.: Maine School of Masonry Open House
3 to 5 p. m.: Phillips Fire and Rescue Station Open House
3 to 4 p. m.: Antique car judging, North Franklin Park Entrance
4 to7 p. m.: Annual chicken barbecue and bean-hole bean supper
5 p. m.: 55th Annual Phillips Old Home Days Parade
6 p. m.: Bingo, American Legion Hall
7 to 10 p. m.: Street Dance; Main Street
7 p. m.: Girls Alumni Soccer Game, Mt. Abram High School
Saturday, Aug. 18
8 a. m. to 5 p. m.: Phillips Historical Society Arts and Crafts Fair
6 to 11 a. m.: Sandy River Flying Club Breakfast, Lindbergh Airport
8 a. m. to sunset: Airplane rides; Lindbergh Airport
9 a. m. to noon: Phillips Fire and Rescue Lawn Sale
9 a. m.: Paul G. Whittemore Road Race, Main Street, all ages
9 a. m. to noon: Flower Show, Phillips Library
9 a. m.: Lumbering competition, Indulge Salon & Spa parking lot
10 a. m. to 2 p. m.: Annual Quilt Show at the Congregational Church
10 a. m. to 3 p. m.: Madrid Historical Society Open House
10 a. m. to 4 p. m.: Living History, Civil War re-enactors
11 a. m.: Bike race
Noon to 6 p. m.: Lobster & Steak Feed, Country Delight in Avon
Noon: Picnic in The Park by The Bridge. Rain site is old gym
Noon: Horse Pulling, North Franklin Park
1 p. m.: Frog Jumping Contest on Main Street
1 to 4 p. m.: Maine School of Masonry Open House
3 p. m.: Bathtub Races, Toothaker Pond
6:30 p. m.: Bingo; American Legion Hall
8 to 9 p. m.: Lantern Run Train Rides, Dill Woods
Dusk: Bicentennial Fireworks Show, North Franklin Park. Rain date Aug. 19
Sunday, Aug. 19
6 to 11 a. m.: Sandy River Flying Club Breakfast, Lindbergh Airport
8 a. m. to 3 p. m.: Airplane Rides, Lindbergh Airport
9 a. m.: Tractor Pull, Route 4 across from Edmunds Market
11 a. m.: Truck Pull, Route 4 across from Edmunds Market
9 a. m.: Chicken Shoot, North Franklin Park
11 a. m.: Bob Parker’s Annual Children’s Parade, Main Street. Rain site is old gym
Noon: Horseshoe Tournament, North Franklin Park
1 to 3 p. m.: Phillips Historical Society Open House
11 a. m. to 3 p. m.: Train Ride, Dill Woods
1 p. m.: Phillips Public Library Duck Derby, Sandy River Bridge
8 p. m.: Train Ride, Dill Woods
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