Mary Damone, who makes a large quilt each year to be raffled at Andover Olde Home Days, has made a moose quilt for the event this weekend. Submitted photo
T-shirts for the 41st Andover Olde Home Days recognize the value of the community’s volunteers, with the words, “Community Starts Here!” Submitted photo
ANDOVER — With a ton of volunteers slated to work, it seems appropriate that the theme for the 41st Andover Olde Home Days is “community.”
The festival begins Friday and continues into Sunday.
Committee Chair Joe Luce noted that the volunteers make this three-day event a success for Andover.
The event gets a big boost this year as members of the Andover Service Circle and Andover Historical Society return in full force. Many were unable to attend last year due to concerns about coronavirus. As a result, the flower show, the craft show and the road race all are set to return on Saturday.
Parking for the road race is at Andover Elementary School, with registration there from 7 to 7:45 a.m. Participants are required to arrive at the school at least 15 minutes prior to the race. The race will benefit the Andover Service Circle.
There is a one-mile fun run for youth 14 and under and a one-mile walk, open to all ages, that starts at 8 a.m. Registration for the one-mile walk and run is $15.
A 4.5 mile run begins at 8:10 a.m.; registration is $25.
Divisions for the 4.5-mile run for adults are 0-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and 60 and up. Divisions for the one-mile run for boys and girls are 0-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, and 13-14.
The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. Saturday morning. The public is welcome to join in. The parade will include a barrel train for the kids and a “bike spectacular ride” for children of all ages. Participants with their bicycle and helmet decorated will receive a prize. Participants will meet across from the fire station. Judges will vote on the best floats at 9:30 a.m., with trophies for first, second and third.
Mary Damone, who each year makes a large quilt to be raffled, has made a moose quilt for this event. Tickets to enter the raffle, available at the Common, are $2 each and three for $5. The winning name will be drawn after the button drawings, according to Luce. Raffle proceeds will go toward next year’s event.
The husband and wife team of John and Nancy Arsenault will again demonstrate their chainsaw wildlife art on Saturday next to Town Hall. They started creating a bear at last year’s Andover Olde Home Days. Since then, they’ve been putting the finishing touches on it and will bring it with them to sell.
There will be an informal car show in Aker’s Field. There will be no entry fees. Food and refreshments are free of charge to participants.
The Andover Congregational Church will hold its annual cookie walk and bake sale Saturday from 8 a.m. until they are sold out. They will be closed during the parade.
The Andover Public Library will have a book sale, 10 for $1, Saturday from noon to 4:30 p.m.
The antique lawn tractor pulls begin at 11 a.m. on Grimaldi Field, followed by the popular lawn tractor races at 3 p.m.
The craft show and food trucks will be on the Common. The annual fire department chicken barbecue will start around noon.
An all-day cornhole tournament and a women’s skillet toss both start at 11 a.m. next to Mills Market.
The Ellis River Riders will hold a horse show on Saturday and Sunday. This traditional event began in 1980 following the 175th Anniversary of the town in 1979, after many participants urged the committee to continue with a yearly celebration.
- Friday, Aug. 5
— All evening on the Common: T-shirts, buttons and a 50/50 raffle.
— 4 to 7 p.m.: Art show at Andover Guest House (across from Mills Market).
— 6:30 p.m.: Live concert with Marshall Meisner Band and the Pete Coolidge Band on the Common. - Saturday, Aug.6
— All day: Shuttle service from Grimaldi Field to the Common.
— All day: T-shirts, buttons and 50/50 raffle. For sale on the Common until sold out.
— All day: Pony/horse rides at the baseball field. Wood carving demonstration next to Town Hall.
— 8 a.m.: Road race from the Andover Elementary School. Pre-registration begins at 7 a.m.
— 8 a.m.: Coffee, donuts and cookie walk at Andover Congregational Church
— 8 a.m.: Antique & Classic Car Show at Akers Field behind the fire station.
— 10 a.m.: Parade. Line up at 9 a.m.; judging at 9:30 a.m. at White’s Field. Bikes, carriages, wagons line up at 9 a.m.; judging at 9:30 a.m. at the tennis court.
— 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Photography contest and exhibit at Town Hall.
— 11 a.m.: Tractor pull at Grimaldi field.
— 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Flower show at Andover Historical Building.
— 11 a.m to 3 p.m.: Art show at Andover Guest House.
— 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Cornhole tournament and skillet toss (left of Mills Market).
— 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Children’s activities and games at the baseball field.
— 11:30 a.m.: Chicken barbeque at the fire station.
— 11:30 a.m.: Lobster dinner at Mills Market.
— 12 p.m.: Button and raffle drawings at the common.
— 12 to 4:30 p.m.: Book sale at Andover Public Library.
— 3 p.m.: Lawn tractor races at Grimaldi Field.
— 3 p.m.: Ellis River Riders Horse Show on Airport Road. - Sunday Aug. 7
— 10 a.m.: Ellis River Riders Horse Show on Airport Road.
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