By Chris Paul
The celebration of Londonderry’s 123rd Old Home Day will begin on Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 17, with the annual senior BBQ and Bingo at the Lions Hall Pavillion, as well as a free concert on the Town Common.
Bingo will start at 4 p.m. and the BBQ will be served at 5 p.m. The concert, featuring Beatles music from the ’60s, will start at 7 p.m.
On Thursday night, Aug. 18, the Old Home Day “Battle of the Bands” will take the stage on the Town Common starting at 5 p.m.
On Friday night, beginning at 5 p.m., Police and Fire personnel from Derry and Londonderry will square off in the annual Softball game. The game was played at the LHS varsity field last year, but this year, according to the town, the game will be played at the Matthew Thornton ball field.
That evening there will be a number of Food Trucks available from 6 – 9:30 p.m. near the LHS Track and a concert featuring the Scott Spradling Band on the field will play at 7 p.m. followed by fireworks at 9 p.m.
On Saturday, the fun continues with the annual Baby Contest starting at 9 a.m. on the Town Common Bandstand.
This year marks the 300th year of Londonderry being established as a town and a few events will take place to acknowledge that.
Some of the town’s oldest families will be honored throughout the weekend.
Many of the family members will be on board a float during Saturday’s parade.
Individuals invited to attend include: Andy Mack, Sr.; Reed and Phyllis Clark III; Forrest Pratt; Linda Harvey; Dan Hicks and the Connor-Hicks family; members of the Plummer family; members of the Merrill family; the Elwoods; Steven Young; Gerry and Van Van Greevenhoff; Tom and Harold Estey; and Anne (Pokey) Peterson.
The parade will begin at the Londonderry Middle School at 10:15 a.m.
There will be a number of activities available throughout the day starting at 11 a.m. on the Town Common.
The Kids Carnival Zone will be open to kids of all ages. Located on behind the stone wall in the Town Forest. Free games will be played: Sports Wheel, Golf Game, Plinko, Bottle Ring Toss, Skeet Roll, Ring Toss, All the Races, and Sombrero Toss. Free face painting.
Portsmouth Shipyard STEM will also be there. Small individual robots for kids to take home, as well as a bracelet activity.
The grounds of Morrison House Museum will feature its usual colonial era encampment all day long.
There will also be a Touch-a-Truck event taking place at the Moose Hill School.
An Adult Den will be set up from 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. near the Lions Hall. There will be hot dogs, burgers, sausages, and drinks will be served to support the Lions Club.
A 603 Beer Tent will also be available and a 603 Axe Play for ages 10 and over. A blowup axe play will be available for children under 10.
Life size Jenga and other games, will be held in front of the Lions Hall, along with New England Tie Dye, DJ Mike Perez, the Strongman Competition, and much more.
A number of performances will be taking place throughout the afternoon on the Town Common stage and will end with the Sunnycrest Apples Pie Eating Contest from 3:20 – 4 p.m.
Festivities will wrap up Saturday night with the Boot Scoot and Boogie 5K Road Race and Beer Fest starting at 6:30 p.m. at the LAFA Complex on Sargent Road.
Please note: The places and times of these events were provided by the town and the Old Home Day Committee.