The Sky's the Limit in Andover

ANDOVER -- One of the best small town celebrations in western Maine will take place on Aug. 3-5.

Andover Olde Home Days will be marking its 32nd anniversary this year. The first Andover Olde Home Day was in 1980 and the result of the event in 1979 to mark the 175th anniversary of the incorporation of the town. Over the years, various events in the history of Andover have been celebrated as part of Olde Home Day, but none is more important than the 50th anniversary of the launching of Telstar which occurred on July 10, 1962.

The theme for the parade this year Telstar Satellite Celebrating 50 years -- the Sky's the Limit.

There are two numbered buttons this year to mark this special event. A square one depicting the horn antenna, and a round one showing the bubble. Various prizes will be awarded at the bandstand to those whose numbers have been picked at random beginning at 12:30 p.m.

T-shirts, in blue, to represent the sky, show the Telstar satellite with rays coming down to Andover and Holmdale, New Jersey. Andover was the relay point from England and France. Buttons and T-shirts will be on sale both on Friday evening (Aug. 3) at the band concert on the common, featuring Noel Palmer, and Saturday (Aug. 4).

Prizes in the various garden contest categories will be awarded on Aug. 2 or 3, depending on when the judging takes place. The ever popular Photo Contest will display entries in the following gategories, portrait, landscape, animal, photoshop and black and white. There are two age groups, children 17 and under and adults 18 and older. Entries can be submitted at the Town Hall on Friday from 5-7 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on Monday from 5-7 p.m. The last time to submit your photos will be Wednesday, August 1 from 5-7 p.m. Further information or to drop off photos may be had by calling Kelly or Ray at 369-0559.

Activities on Aug. 4 begin at 8 a.m. with coffee and donuts at the First Congregational Church CEB where there will also be a quilt show in memory of well-known area quilter, Joyce Frazier, cookie walk, white elephant sale and luncheon. Be sure to check out the hand-crafted baby cradle made by Art Schroeder which will be awarded to the high bidder on Labor Day weekend.

The parade will start at 10 a.m. and proceed up Main Street from the Transfer Station Road. Once again, Western Maine Street Rods will show off their classic and antique cars at Aker's field from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

There will be many activities all day long on the Common, at the historical building, the town hall, the fire station and up and down Main Street including children's games, a pie eating contest, chicken barbeque, lawn tractor races at the Grimaldi Field, arm wrestling, and a skillet throwing contest. The library will feature a book sale and the Pennacook Art Show displaying the works of former Andover resident, Christie Mulvaney.

The day will be capped off with dancing at the fire station to the music of Monsta.

The Ellis River Riders will be holding activities on both Saturday and Sunday at their facility off of the Airport Road.