An attempt to earn a place in the Guinness Book of World records marks this weekend’s first three-day St. Anne/Gorham Days Festival in Gorham.
The festival gets underway at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 28, with carnival rides, entertainment and plenty of food on the midway on the lawn at Gorham’s Municipal Center and at the adjacent Narragansett School. The fun continues all day Saturday, July 29, and Sunday, July 30, concluding with fireworks at 9 p.m.
The festival is a collaborative effort of various Gorham groups, including St. Anne’s Catholic Church. Marc and Margo Badeau are co-chairing the events sponsored by the church.
This year’s event replaces the former Gorham Family Fair, which grew over the years. “It’s gotten bigger than a breadbox,” said Cindy Hazelton, director of the Gorham Recreation Department.
One of the many highlights this year will be an attempt at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 30, to set a new world’s record for the most people simultaneously wearing Groucho glasses. The glasses with a nose and mustache attached are a takeoff on the ones worn by entertainer Groucho Marx. The Gorham Recreation Department will supply 2,000 free numbered Groucho glasses for the record-breaking attempt.
The current record is 1,437 and Hazelton is confidant Gorham’s attempt will succeed. “We’re going to break it,” Hazelton said.
To be counted, participants must enter one of the four entry gates, which will be organized alphabetically. A parent’s signature is required for those under age 18.
Those participating will also get a raffle ticket in a drawing for a Jotul wood stove, canoe and a $100 savings bond.
The Knights of Columbus are sponsoring pancake breakfasts between 7:30 and 9:30 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday at St. Anne’s Catholic Church. Entries for the pie baking contest should be dropped off between 11 a.m. and noon on Sunday at the church. Town Manager David Cole will be one of the judges.
Gorham Trails/Land Trust will sponsor the road race at 8 a.m. at Gorham High School. A parade through the village starts at 10 a.m.
Carnival rides by Smokey’s Greater Shows will run from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.
The festival features a full slate of family entertainment with several bands. The celebration marks a reunion for the group “Better Days,” a local band that played in the 1980s that will perform at noon on Sunday.
One of the members, Darrell Morrow, is now music director at Gorham High School and will play the keyboard. The other band members are Jeff Christiansen of Vermont on guitar, Mark Fenderson of Texas on bass, and Marty Mathews of Gorham on drums.
Hazelton said one of the events this year will be cow-chip bingo at 4:30 p.m. Sunday. The Saturday lineup includes toilet seat horseshoes on the lawn near the gazebo from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and a frog jumping contest at 11:30 a.m. Hazelton said the contest is for real frogs only. “Bring your own frogs,” she said.
Saturday night will feature a drive-in family movie at 9 p.m. Hazelton said it would be a recently released movie. Those attending can take a blanket and bug spray.
The Gorham Fire Department will host the annual chicken barbecue from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Sunday at Central Fire Station. The fire department will also sponsor the fireworks, capping the celebration at 9 p.m. Sunday.
Hazelton is hoping the weather cooperates after rain postponed some activities on Saturday in Buxton. “I feel your pain,” she sympathized with Buxton. “I’m crossing my fingers now.”
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