All proceeds from the event will be used by local civic groups and to plan next year’s event.
WEST PARIS – The 4th annual Old Home Days held over the weekend saw the largest crowds since the event was reborn in 1999.
The Old Home Days Committee credited the dry weather, which allowed all events to go on as planned.
The celebration kicked off Friday evening with the children’s parade a bean supper at the West Paris Historical Society that netted more than $500, and a bevy of activities including games and rides along the midway on Kingsbury Street.
On Saturday the day began with the Grand Parade with an estimated gathering of close to 1,000 people lining the parade route. The parade was led by the Pipers from the Maine State Police and included antique cars, the Old Crow Indian Band, floats, school children, units from the West Paris Fire Department and Tri-Town Ambulance and Rescue Service. There were also teams of horses and the Shriners miniature cars.
After the parade there was an auto show, petting zoo, fishing derby, pony rides, a horse shoeing demonstration, a performance by the West Paris Majorettes, musical programs, a baby contest and slide shows.
During the evening, in conjunction with the West Paris High School Alumni Association’s annual banquet and reunion, a street dance was held featuring Rick Blake’s Band and fire works at the Harold C. Perham Sports Complex.
On Sunday the feature events included the opening of the fourth annual Soap Box derby racing season at Derby Hill and an old-timers baseball game. Other events included a pie baking contest, a plant auction, a children’s hour at the Arthur L. Mann Memorial Library, go-cart demonstration and a patriotic sing-along led by Mary Alice Standard and Maurice Veatch at the West Paris Baptist Church.
Events that ran throughout the weekend were beano, horse and wagon rides, slot racing cars, a wood carving demonstration, amusement rides, a dunking booth and jail.
All proceeds from the event will be used by local civic groups and the Old Home Days Committee as they begin to plan next year’s event.
Asked about how much money was taken in during the weekend, committee chairman and Selectman Harlan Abbott said he did not have an exact figure Sunday, “but I’m sure everyone did very well.”
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