‘Stars, Stripes & Summer Nights’: Belmont celebrates community at Saturday’s Old Home Day

BELMONT — This year’s Old Home Day is bigger and better than ever, and Danielle St. Onge, director of parks and recreation, is hoping for the crowds to return, too. The celebration takes place from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8.

“All in all, it has been a great planning season, and the weather is looking better every time I see it,” wrote St. Onge in an Old Home Day update, emailed to Town Administrator Alicia Jipson, who read the email during Wednesday’s selectboard meeting. “We’re hoping for a return of big crowds at this year’s Old Home Day.”

This year’s Old Home Day theme is “Stars, Stripes & Summer Nights.”

The schedule is set and jam-packed, with the action starting at 7 a.m., with a pancake breakfast at the Tioga Pavilion. The annual road race is next, and thanks to many improvements — including sponsorship by Delta Dental and online registration — the race has more attendees than ever before.

Beginning at Belmont Middle School, the 10-mile course combines winding back roads, flat stretches and a few hills.

Events are scattered throughout the day, with a longstanding vendor fair on Mill Street with over 50 tables. At 9:30 a.m., attractions on Mill St. will open up. At night, there will be 10 vendors for folks to peruse. 

The Tioga Fun Bubble Run at the Covered Bridge commences at 10 a.m., with five age divisions: 4 and under, 8 and under, 9-12, 13-16, and 17+. Participants run the covered bridge to the second trailhead and back, all with bubbles filling the air.

For kids looking to experience hands-on fun, head to the Tioga Pavilion at 11 a.m., for the Padula Kids Pedal Tractor Pull. Same-day registration begins at 10:45 a.m. for the opportunity to pull bricks and more.

One of the main attractions, the annual Old Home Day parade, is slated for 1 p.m. on Main Street, and will fill the thoroughfare with all sorts of floats, cars, and more. Candy will be safely made available for children by the Belmont Selectboard.

Next on the schedule of events is the fan-favorite chicken barbecue by the Belmont Fire Department. Each dinner includes half a chicken, and potato salad, coleslaw, a roll and ice cream.

Entertainment begins at 6 p.m. at Bryant Field, along with the opening of more attractions.

The day concludes with a fireworks display by Atlas Fireworks, funded by the town.

“Atlas Fireworks is back to end the night with some great fireworks,” Jipson read from the letter.

For more information and the schedule of events, visit belmontnh.gov/old-home-day.

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Katlyn Proctor can be reached at katlyn@laconiadailysun.com or by calling 603-524-0150.