NORTH WATERFORD – Friday is Senior Citizen Day at the North Waterford World’s Fair, and people 50 years and older will be treated to a free ham dinner at noon in the dance hall.

Fourteen lucky diners that day will receive a hardwood stockman’s cane, a traditional gift presented each year by meal planner Lawrence Murch of Raymond, treasurer of the fair association. The Mechanic Falls optometrist donates the cost of the food, the band and the canes, said association secretary Marie Arsenault.

“What could be better for a door prize for a senior citizen than a cane?” Murch asked.

The canes are made of cherry or maple, he said, and are used by “real cattlemen.”

The canes are made in Pennsylvania and purchased from Paris Farmers Union.

“Cattle auctioneers always have them,” he said.

“We have other door prizes, but by tradition we’ve always given away the canes. They’re what the real cattleman use,” he said.

Murch said he hopes there will be hundreds coming to the meal he is preparing. The menu is fat-free ham (“I don’t buy the cheap stuff.”), macaroni and cheese made with Cabot cheddar, green beans, rolls and butter, cake and iced tea.

“We’ve got food enough for tonnage,” he said.

The meal will be free to anyone 50 and older, but no one younger will be refused, even children, he said.

“We always put on a big feed for ’em,” Murch said. “It’s a sit-down dinner. It’s not where you have to balance a meal on your kneecap. We have place mats and everything.”

Those entering the dance hall for the meal will also be able to enjoy the music of the Richard Felt Band.

Admission to the grounds Friday is $4.

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