Racers in the Motaw Speedway circle the track in 2019 during one of the tractor mower races at Andover Olde Home Days. Bruce Farrin/Rumford Falls Times file

ANDOVER — Olde Home Days is returning after being canceled in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic and organizers are taking a cautious approach this time.

Committee Chair Amber Cooper said holding the Aug. 6-8 event presented a bit of a challenge this year.

“Some of our elderly groups, like the Andover Historical Society, which always does the flower show, opted out because they were afraid of COVID,” she said. “I’m running the craft show this year, which is usually done by the Andover Service Circle, but in January, they canceled it for the same reason.”

Cooper added that two of the Service Circle members ended up joining their group to assist, and proceeds from the show are being given back to the Andover Service Circle, “because this has always been their fundraiser.”

“So it’s caused a little bit of a problem, but the community as a whole has totally embraced it,” Cooper said. “So many positive people just love this event and love Andover. I don’t know why it surprises me every time, but people really look forward to this.”

The theme for this year’s Andover Olde Home Days is “Andover, Home of Motaw Speedway.” Buttons are available at Mills Market and the Town Office. Submitted photo

Cooper said the organizers are planning a gradual return of Olde Home Days’ many traditional events, but the art show, road race, fly casting, blueberry pie eating contest, arm wrestling competition and the horse wagon rides are not happening this year.

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She said these will likely return for future Olde Home Days, depending upon the number of available volunteers.

Still, there is still plenty happening during the three-day event this year.

“Before the mandates were lifted on June 30, we started out planning it like it was a COVID event,” she said. “We were going to have everybody six feet apart and we were going to have masks and visors. Then, as things lifted, I knew that I could easily back off on that.”

Marshall Meisner’s band, which has been a longstanding participant in Olde Home Days, will provide music on the common Friday evening, with t-shirts and buttons on sale and a 50/50 raffle. A lobster feast also will be held at Mills Market from 2-5 p.m.

On Saturday, festivities will kick off with a parade at 10 a.m., with this year’s theme being “Andover, Home of Motaw Speedway.”

The parade will include the barrel train for the kids and the public is encouraged to join in the procession, Cooper said.

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“People making floats don’t have to follow the theme of the event,” she said. “The important thing is the more floats, the better. They can be as creative as they want.”

Participants can register by calling Cooper at 357-2647, but it is not required. Participants can show up at 9 a.m. at White’s Field coming into the center of town on South Main Street from Route 5.

The floats will be judged at 9:30 a.m., with “best float” cash prizes of $100 for first, $50 for second and $25 for third, along with a trophy.

Organizers are looking for kids of all ages to be in the “bike spectacular ride” in the parade. Children who arrive with their bicycle and helmet decorated can win a prize. The gathering place will be across from the fire station. First, second and third place will be awarded. Call Hollie at 207-357-0733 to sign up.

There will be a car show in Aker’s Field. Cooper said it will be informal, more of a cruise-in type where people just show up. There will be no entry fees. There will be food and refreshments free of charge to the participants.

The Andover Congregational Church is having coffee and doughnuts beginning at 8 a.m., followed by a cookie walk, until it is sold out.

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The antique lawn tractor pulls begin at 11 a.m. on Grimaldi Field, followed by the popular lawn tractor races at 3 p.m.

The craft show will be on the common. Food trucks will be there, too, including a couple of new ones. There will be two different button drawings for the donated prizes during the day. The annual fire department chicken barbecue will happen around noon.

There will be games for the kids, and horse and pony rides in the back of the ballfield. Next to Mills Market will be an all-day cornhole tournament and a women’s skillet toss, both starting at 11 a.m.

The Ellis River Riders horse club will be doing shows on Saturday and Sunday.

Cooper said vendors will be staying a bit later this year as there will be music beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday on the common. Music will be by Fish Bowl, which plays 80s and 90s country music.

The committee is still working on some final details.

Other events for Saturday and Sunday are not yet set in stone, but should be shortly, Cooper said.

Olde Home Days began in 1980 following the 175th Anniversary of the town, when participants in those festivities urged the committee to continue with a yearly celebration.


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