With all the rain this summer, organizers are hoping the weather cooperates for Buxton Community Day on Saturday, July 22.
“Hopefully, it will be a good day,” said Chris Barstow, director of the Buxton Recreation Department.
The daylong activities will take place at Weymouth Park, Helen Bruce Park and at Tory Hill Church, all at the intersection of routes 112 and 202. A breakfast, sponsored by the Lions Club, kicks off the celebration from 8-9:30 a.m. at Weymouth Park.
There’ll be plenty of fun for everyone. For athletes, activities include two road races and a tennis tournament. The 1K and 5K road races start at 8:30 a.m. at Weymouth Park and participants can register at 7:45 a.m. before the race. Sign up for the youth tennis tournament will be at 8:15 a.m. and the entry fee is $10.
The Royal Irish Artillery will officially open the fair with a ceremony at 9 a.m. at Helen Bruce Park. The artillery will continue demonstrations through the afternoon.
A midway with booths and food vendors will open at 10 a.m. at Weymouth Park. A doll, bike and stroller parade promises to be a delight from 10-11 a.m.
Fun activities for children will continue until 6 p.m. with a moon bounce, giant slide face painting. Ed and Sharon Morris will present the Balloon Zoo at 1:15 p.m.
The start time for this year’s parade has been changed to noon from the traditional 10 a.m. start of past years. Buxton Town Clerk John Myers is once again organizing the parade, which will form up at 11:30 a.m. on Depot Street and proceed to Main Street and River Road to Tory Hill.
Units will include the Buxton police and fire departments, scouts, Shriner scooters and floats from community groups, including one from Buxton Recreation. The Fanfare Concert Band and the Blue Hill Brass Band will entertain in the parade.
For vintage vehicle buffs, the parade will feature restored tractors and cars. Erwin and Pat Wales are coordinating a contingent of 15 antique cars that will motor along the parade route.
The Dorcas Society will host its annual charity fair and lawn party from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. outside the Tory Hill Church. There will be crafts, a pie booth, baked goods and a variety of fun activities. Lunch will be served under a tent on the church lawn.
This year’s celebration will feature three performances by Gerald Dickens, the great-great-grandson of British author Charles Dickens. He’ll perform at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 21, and at 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturday in the church.
Barstow called the special appearance by Dickens as a highlight for those interested in literature and history. “A great performance,” Barstow said.
The firefighter’s muster, a new event planned for this year, has been canceled, but the fire department is sponsoring its annual chicken barbecue 5-7 p.m. The proceeds from the barbecue will benefit the town’s Korean War Memorial.
Maine humorist Gary Crocker, whose performance is sponsored by Aubuchon Hardware, will entertain while diners enjoy the barbeque. At 8 p.m., the Bob Charest Band will take the stage.
Fireworks will cap the day’s events at 9:15 p.m. “The grand finale is the fireworks,” Barstow said.
The Buxton Community Day committee, which planned the festivities, included Judy Sjulander, Richard and Beverly Atkinson, Brent and Jan Hill, and Erwin and Pat Wales in addition to Barstow.
Cutline (Buxton photos-parade 18)
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