Meredith Old Home Day: Honoring the past, celebrating the future

MEREDITH ― Excitement is growing in Meredith as the town prepares for Old Home Day. The theme this year connects with the U.S.’s 250th anniversary ― Honoring yesterday, celebrating today: Meredith 1776-2026.

Festivities kick off at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, with a parade that winds through historic Main Street. That's followed by live music, food trucks, vendors and family fun.

This is the second year Meredith has celebrated Old Home Day after a 70-year hiatus.

“Last year was so much fun ― watching the pie-eating contest was hilarious. The whole town seemed to turn out to celebrate the day,” said Nick Perry, who owns the Meredith Inn with his wife Amy, and is a member of the Shop Main Street group.

A coalition of groups in town have come together to work on Old Home Day 2026. The town of Meredith is taking the lead organizing role, along with the Meredith Chamber of Commerce, the Shop Main Street group and the Greater Meredith Program.

Local bands, entertainers, craft vendors and nonprofit groups are contributing to the Meredith Old Home Day celebrations. An egg toss, scavenger hunt and the famous pie-eating contest are planned. There are also new activities this year including a climbing wall, a dunk tank ― with special guests ― and a bouncy house for kids. Rusty McLear will be Grand Marshal this year, honoring his significant contribution to Meredith.

The Old Home Day tradition began in New Hampshire more than 125 years ago as a way to celebrate rural towns as people were lured away to cities and western states. Home to about 7,000 people, Meredith is a popular tourist spot on Lake Winnipesaukee, known for its New England charm and natural beauty. Meredith was established in 1768, eight years before the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This year’s Old Home Day focuses on the rich history of Meredith from 1776 to the present day, and what comes next.

For more information and updates, visit mereditholdhomeday.com.