ANDOVER – Call it fate, kismet or what you will, but precisely at 10 a.m. the torrential downpour stopped and the 24th annual Andover Olde Home Days parade began.

Hundreds of people lined the streets for the anticipated parade and colorful umbrellas were closed as skies cleared and the rain stopped.

Vendors quickly pulled off tarps and wiped standing water from tables soon to be covered with their wares. Scents of hot dogs, fried dough and barbecue cooking filled the air just humid enough to hold the aromas.

As the appointed time for the parade approached, children scanned the street and finally one eager youngster was heard to say, “Yep, here it comes.”

And the parade advanced with police cars escorting the band, floats, old cars, horses, flags, clowns, and Andover’s fire engines and emergency vehicles.

After the parade, the throng crowded onto the village green where booths covered the entire area. The Town Hall was opened to show the 179 photos from the contest organized and judged by Angelo Kaltsos. Five states and 15 towns were represented in the exhibition which included photos from children and well as adults. Kaltsos says he makes sure every child is awarded a ribbon. The Best in Show picture was submitted by Walt Cunnington and featured a sunset with silhouettes.

The Historical Society hosted the Flower Show where Maxine Thurston was given the Judges Award for her presentation of native red berries twined around a vintage fence post remnant with a small horse shoe. Denise Worden won Best in Show for her arrangement featuring pale green Cymbidium orchids.

Garden contest first-place winners for flowers were Jere and Carol Melzar. Vegetable garden winners were Lester Bailey and the Pew family and mixed garden winners were Jennifer Pitcher and Richard Gallant.

Outside the Historical Society building sat the car that was featured in the parade that has license plates from 50 states and all 12 provinces plastered over the body.

Tiny pies covered with whipped cream enticed many to try their skill at eating the miniature pastry while holding their hands down to their sides.

Laughter filled the common as people participated in the many other activities. They could view antique cars, take part in a fly-casting contest, watch a fly-tying demonstration, listen to a folk music concert, see line dancing, arm wrestling and try their talent at karaoke. Bright sunny skies filled the afternoon.

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