SHERMAN, Maine — “Treasured Memories” is the theme for this year’s Old Home Days celebration taking place over Labor Day weekend. The four-day event starts at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3, with a dance in the Sherman gym. It wraps up with a bean supper at 6 p.m. Monday in the center of town at the park.
Jarice Kelley, a planning committee member, said the celebration dates back to 1932, when the Washburn Memorial Church organized a picnic in the park “to have an event for fun, food and fellowship.”
A major highlight of the festivities is the Labor Day parade. This year, the surviving members of the 1967 state basketball championship team will take part in the parade to complement to yearly theme. The former state champs partly inspired the idea, said Allison Roy, another planning committee member.
Other activities for adults and children alike are planned throughout the weekend. Roy said that a pet show that had been scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday at the park has been moved to the same time and place Sunday.
For more information, visit www.uvec.org or call Roy at 365-4263.
Roy said the parade “is the only twice-around-town parade” because it starts at the Sherman gym, goes through the town square and then goes around again.
A hugely popular affair over the Old Home Days weekend is the annual Tea at the Red House. Ladies and girls don stylish hats and dresses for an elegant garden party, where tea is poured from silver teapots and sipped from porcelain cups.
All guests will be eligible for a special door prize, an Island Hat donated by Kelley’s sister, Dorinda Putnam, who owns Queen of Hats in Portland. Every child attending the tea will also get a small pewter charm, Kelley said. “This year, it’s going to be a garden gate. It looks like a little picket fence,” said Kelley, who wore a charm from a previous year around her neck.
The tea party will be held 2-4 p.m. Saturday at the “Cap” Perrin home on Main Street.
Various local musicians performing gospel, country and bluegrass music will entertain in the park starting at noon Sunday and Monday.