ANDOVER — The 36th annual Olde Home Days celebration in Andover will take place this weekend.

This traditional event began in 1980, following the 175th Anniversary of the town in 1979, after many participants urged the committee to continue with a yearly celebration. The theme this year is Honoring Public Safety, Fire, EMS and Law Enforcement.

Leo Camlre, chairman of this year’s event, said Saturday’s 10 a.m. parade is “centered around this and there should be several color guards marching.” State Police, Oxford County Sheriff’s Office, Maine Warden Service, and the Forestry Service with Smokey the Bear will participate.

He said there will be fire engines from area departments, along with at least five floats representing this year’s theme. “The Army and Marine Cadets will also be marching in the parade and rumor has it that the military vehicles will be back in the parade this year.”

Camlre said there will be ATVs from the local ATV clubs, tractors, politicians, horses and the popular barrel train.

T-shirts, buttons and 50/50 tickets will be on sale all day Saturday until the drawing at 1 p.m.

Every public building in Andover will be used for activities, including the Historical Society, which will be used for the 65th annual Flower Show from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Meanwhile, the popular photo contest will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. downstairs in the Town Hall. The Fire Station will host the chicken barbecue and the library on Church Street will be the site for a book sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the Pennacook Art Show from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

At the First Congregational Church, attendees will be able to get donuts and coffee beginning at 8 a.m. and participate in the traditional Cookie Walk, which generally sells out by 10 a.m. Lunch will also be served there.

Camlre said the tractor races at Andover Mow-Ta Speedway should be bigger and better this year. It is held at 3 p.m., following the kids’ tractor pulls at 2 p.m. There will also be limited special Mow-ta speedway T-shirts on sale at the race.

Other activities include:

• Children’s games;

• The antique and classic car show by the Western Maine Street Rods from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Akers’ Field;

• The bike and doll carriage parade at 9:30 a.m.;

• A corn hole competition with PJ Farrington at 11 a.m. behind the Fire Station;

• And a skillet throw contest for men and women at 1 p.m. at the Little League field.

All this will be enhanced by numerous vendors on the common and the drawing of button numbers.

The Olde Home Days Committee asks that the only dogs allowed on The Common be service dogs. Camlre said this will be enforced this year for safety reasons.

On Sunday, the homecoming Sunday Service begins at 10 a.m. at the Andover Congregational Church, followed by a potluck brunch. Bring a dish to share, if you can.

The Ellis River Riders will host an open show at 9 a.m. at their show grounds off Airport Road, which will include children and adult games and their popular food booth.

At 2 p.m., there will be a Knights of Pythias service remembering Molly Ockett at the Mollocket Woodlawn Cemetery. Marking the 200th anniversary of her death, Cathy Newell will be speaking. Seating will be available.

bfarrin@sunmediagroup.net