LEEDS – Things will be festive over the holiday weekend at the Bachelder home. A pig roast is planned. Burgers and hot dogs will be cooked on the grill. The family will raffle off a pickup truck and other items.

The three-day bash has all the elements of a late summer fling. But the purpose of the weekend bash is a solemn one.

Cleo Bachelder and her family are trying to raise reward money in hopes of generating new information about the hit-and-run death of her son two years ago.

On Aug. 2, 2002, the body of Reinie “Manny” LaBelle was found at the side of Route 132 in Wales. Police said the 37-year-old was struck by a vehicle while walking to his home late at night or early in the morning.

There was no sign of the car that struck LaBelle. Investigators appealed to the public for information and followed up on whatever leads they got. But time passed and no arrests were made.

Now, with two years gone by, Bachelder hopes to remind people that her son is dead and the person who killed him is still running loose.

“We really want to jog their memory a little bit,” she said. “And we want to raise some money for a reward.”

LaBelle, who worked in roofing and siding, has a daughter in the Livermore Falls area. He also has family in Lewiston and surrounding towns. There are plenty of people who would like to see resolution in the mystery surrounding his death, his mother said.

“He was a happy-go-lucky person,” Bachelder said. “He liked to be the center of attention.”

Investigators said they have followed up leads that resulted in dead ends. One tip would lead to several people and then back to the person who provided it.

“It’s a vicious circle,” said Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Deputy William Gagne.

LaBelle’s body was found on Route 132 roughly a mile and a half from the intersection at Route 126, police said. He was walking from a friend’s home when he was struck and killed.

The Sheriff’s Department and state police have been investigating since the crash, and the probe is still open.

Bachelder said everyone is welcome at the weekend cookout. Guests will be charged $10, which covers food and activities. The family will also raffle off a truck for $100 a chance. The bash is at the Bachelder home on Walter Drive, off Roger Sumner Road. Anyone who needs directions may call Bachelder at 933-2079.

By the end of the weekend, with summer unofficially coming to a close, Bachelder is hoping to have enough money to tempt information out of anyone who knows something.

“We’d be more than happy to follow up on any new leads that come in,” Gagne said.

Anyone with information about the death of LaBelle may phone the detective at 784-7361, extension 214.