LINCOLN – The 55th annual Riverdrivers supper, concerts, a grand parade, barbecues, a street dance, a golf tournament and numerous other activities are all part of Lincoln’s Homecoming 2002.

Lincoln centers its summer celebration events around homecoming, a time of the year when many former residents come home to see old friends and their families.

The theme of this year’s event, which will run Thursday, July 18, through Sunday, July 21, is “America’s Heroes.”

Don Worcester Jr., chairman of the homecoming committee, said this year’s theme encourages people to think about their float designs and how they honor the flag.

“We are trying to work some patriotic things into the events like the flag retirement ceremony, the flag lighting ceremony in memory of Master Sergeant Gary Gordon and by having a Black Hawk helicopter,” said Worcester. “There has been a renewed patriotism around the country and we just thought it would be appropriate.”

Worcester said the committee also wanted to honor its local heroes, who assisted the town through its two devastating fires in January. “That is why we are having area fire chiefs, who helped Lincoln during the fires, as our grand marshals of the parade,” he said.

He said there are many activities for people of all ages to enjoy.

Men and women of the First Congregational Church will be busy next week preparing for their 55th Riverdrivers supper. It will be served up from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, July 18, on the banks of the Penobscot River at Ludden Field. Beans baking in the ground and biscuits cooking in reflector ovens over a campfire have drawn more than 1,000 people to the event each year.

A variety show will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, July 18, at the Waterfront facility.

A flag retirement ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 20, at the Veterans Monument on Main Street.

The grand parade will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 20, beginning at the high school and ending at Shop ‘n Save on West Broadway. As a tribute to Master Sgt. Gary Gordon, who was killed in Somalia in 1993, a Black Hawk helicopter will fly over the parade route and a flag lighting ceremony in his honor will be held at 9 p.m. at the high school football field.

The alumni all-class reunion dinner will be held at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, July 20, at the junior high school. Reservations are required.

The Springfield Country Jamboree will be the opening act at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, July 20, for the concert of rising country star Jenny Paquette and the North Country Band. Paquette will perform at 9 p.m. Advance tickets are available at Unicel, Worcester Bros. and the town office for $8. Tickets are $10 at the gate.

A new event is a professional water-skiing show at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 21, at Prince Thomas Park.

A complete list of events is available at the town office or on its Web site, www.lincolnmaine.org.