Orrington man plans his final Olde Home Week

loading...

This is the final year that festivities surrounding Orrington Olde Home Week, which runs from Friday, July 21, through Sunday, July 29, will be coordinated under the watchful eye of Glen Rand.

He is done.

Finished, he claims, and he’s casting about for a good candidate to take his place after having been in charge of this annual event for nearly a decade.

“It’s time to hand it off to someone else, but I’ll keep helping them get floats for the parade,” he said of one of his favorite events during the weeklong celebration.

The week features something for everyone, from sports to the parade, for which Rand is still seeking floats and, particularly antique cars.

“We have the Brewer Hometown Band, and many Shrine units,” he said, “including the first appearance in this area of the Anah [Temple] Shrine’s Aroostook Indy Car Unit. That should be quite a treat.”

Rand urges that anyone who wants to participate in the parade, which is scheduled for Saturday, July 28, rain or shine, to call him at 825-3285.

“Les Grover, who just retired after serving 23 years with our fire department, and was our chief, will be the parade grand marshal,” Rand said.

“I would really like to see lots of fire departments in the parade to help honor him for all he’s done.”

If you are interested in entering the parade, you should know that the theme is “Family Celebration.”

All preregistered floats are eligible for prizes and awards, given for the best unit, best overall unit, and the best musical unit.

“People have been asking if we’ll have those Mardi Gras beads again this year,” Rand said.

“We just got a big shipment, so everyone will get a set at the parade.”

The Orrington Recreation Committee starts off the weeklong festivities with a girls softball tournament Friday, July 20, through Sunday, July 22, at the Center Drive School off Route 15 in Orrington.

The Curran Farm Homestead on Fields Pond Road is featuring a weekend of activities that include an antiques appraisal from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 21, as well as a country barbecue at noon and a baked bean supper beginning at 4:30 p.m.

Near day’s end at 6 p.m., don’t miss the Homestead’s Olde Fashioned Square Dance or from 6 to 9 p.m. the free Gospel Jam at the United Methodist Church on Center Drive.

Another country barbecue is planned from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, July 22, at the Homestead, along with a pie-eating contest and an appearance by the bluegrass group The Late Edition, from 1 to 3 p.m.

“We’re pleased that the Curran Farm Homestead is putting so much into this weekend, and we hope people enjoy it,” Rand said.

Throughout Orrington Olde Home Week, there will be book sales, art shows and community suppers as well as Little League baseball games.

One highlight of the week, Rand said, will be the appearance of Mac McHale and “The Old Time Radio Gang” from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 28, at the Center Drive School.

Admission fees for this event have purposely been kept low so that everyone who wants to can attend, Rand said, but he hopes enough money is made to cover the cost of bringing this show to town.

Admission is $5 for adults and $2.50 for children over 12. All children under 12 will be admitted free.

Two events help close out the Olde Home Week celebration:

The fifth annual car show is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, July 29, at the Center Drive School. Car registration is $5, and spectator admission is $2 per person. Lunch will be available.

If you are interested in entering this show, call Mike Carter at 825-3475.

The first bike race begins with registration at 11 a.m. at Center Drive School.

The preregistration entry fee is $10, but $15 on the day of the event. The first 70 registered racers receive free T-shirts, and prizes and awards will be given in each division.

A set of bicycle wheels will be raffled, and all proceeds from the event benefit the Orrington Recreation Committee.

For more information about the bike race, call Marcel and Cindy Bastide at 825-3046.

“It’s going to be a great week,” Rand said. “We hope lots and lots of people come, and that they have a good time.”

The Bangor Public Library’s Summer Reading Program in the Children’s Room features lots of fine guests and events that will appeal to young people of all ages.

For example, Renny Stackpole, curator of the Penobscot Marine Museum in Searsport, will discuss schooners that sailed the Gulf of Maine when he visits the library at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 17.

Later in the week, Garland storyteller Deena Weinstein will entertain youngsters with stories about pancakes, griddlecakes, hot cakes and flapjacks at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 19. Kids will even get to make a little butter to go with the pancakes.

For information about these and other summer events, call the library’s Children’s Room at 947-8336, Ext. 111.

Although notices have been sent to all class members, Prudence Hines of Brewer wants to remind her classmates that the Old Town High School Class of 1934 reunion begins at noon Monday, Aug. 6, at Miller’s Restaurant on Main Street in Bangor.

The guest speaker for this annual event will be Ruth Gray of Old Town, who will discuss her many travel experiences.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402;

990-8288.