Londonderry Celebrates 119th Old Home Day

Book ended by beautiful weather on Wednesday, Aug. 15 and Sunday, Aug. 19 the weather cancelled some of the town’s Old Home Day events, and added to the enjoyment of others.

The annual festivities began under blue skies, on Wednesday Aug. 15, with the Senior Citizens Barbecue held at the Lions Club. The evening started with some bingo playing, and worked into hamburgers and hot dogs cooked by the Lions and served by Londonderry police officers, St. Jude Maidens of Joan of Arc members and Old Home Day Committee members.

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu stopped in to wish all the local attendees a happy Old Home Day, as well as to remind them of the upcoming elections.

Following the meal, those who wished to, attended the Windham Swing Band Concert across the street at the Band Stand on the Town Common.

The following evening also enjoyed some beautiful summer conditions as local children filled the Town Common for Kidz Night.

As with most years, there was plenty of activities for youngsters to enjoy. A motorized train gave rides around the event, the “always popular” large tortoise made its way around the common courtesy of Wildlife Encounters, the band stand had a magician, the New England Dance Ensemble dancers performing scenes from the “The Greatest Showman,” and once again Judy Pancoast performed. Cartoon characters came to life and offered children candy, and balloon creations were made by the Bektash Clowns and Silly Solution’s Joe Tombarello.

Bounce houses, exotic animals, a seatbelt information area, local PTA games, and the Police were also on the common.

Across the street at the Matthew Thornton Elementary School, ReMax Innovations offered tethered balloon rides.

And over at the Lions parking lot, the Londonderry Fire Department gave children tours of their trucks.

Later that evening, The Londonderry Police Department hosted a viewing of the movie Cars III.

Sadly, the Friday night events were all washed out by rain. The softball game between the Firefighters and Police, the Concert at the High School and the fireworks were all cancelled that evening.

On Saturday, despite a damp beginning, the Lundgren 5K Road Race started right on schedule, as did the Baby Contest and the Parade.

Throughout the day there was lots to do on the common, at the Morrison House Museum, and at Mathew Thornton.

The annual Community Worship Service on the Common also enjoyed some wonderful weather on Sunday morning.