Each year, thanks to you and several generous sponsors, our lovely Cascade Park on State Street looks better than it did the previous year.

Once again, the park is attracting people of all ages for outings and the occasional wedding as well as those delightful summertime lunch breaks.

Some of the renovation and restoration of this historic park can be credited directly to your participation in the annual Cascade Park Celebration, which is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, in the park.

In the past few years, wrote Bangor Parks and Recreation Department Director Frank Comeau, more than $40,000 in improvements have been made to the park.

And that’s where you come in, because “all proceeds from the celebration go to the restoration of Cascade Park,” he explained.

Free parking and shuttle bus service for the Cascade Park Celebration will be available from the Wing Park parking lot across from Eastern Maine Medical Center on State Street and, for $3, you can purchase a special racing duck to participate in the “world-famous” Cascade Park Duck Races.

Your duck might just win a prize donated by Hannaford, which is one of the celebration sponsors with WLBZ TV-2, Bangor Parks & Recreation, Z107-FM radio, Creative Imaging and Pepsi.

The entertainment begins at 10 a.m. with Thomas School of Dance and is followed hourly by Mainely Music Barbershop Chorus, Queen City Big Band, Twin City Cloggers, Sentimental Journey Band and Moon Puppies.

Closing out the celebration is the final summer performance at 4 p.m. of our historic Bangor Band, established in 1859 and believed to be the second-oldest continually performing community band in the United States.

So, if you’re having National Folk Festival withdrawal, plan to enjoy the festivities at Cascade Park the first Saturday in September.

In honor of the 100th anniversary of the founding of Ford Motor Co., the Maine Air Museum in Bangor is holding a Special Showing of Vintage Ford Automobiles and Aircraft Engines during regular museum hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, at the museum.

The museum is located at 98 Maine Ave., off Exit 46 on I-95.

Carl Sederquist of Ellsworth reports Ford Motor Co. built the B-24 “Liberator” bomber as well as many well-known aircraft engines that powered the planes that supported the Allied Forces during World War II.

Admission to the museum is $2 for adults and $1 for children, or a maximum of $5 per family.

For more information about MAM, call 941-6757, (877) 280-MAHS, or visit www.acadia.net/mahs.

Hammond Street Congregational Church in Bangor is celebrating its 170th anniversary Sunday, Sept. 21, with several special events leading up to that day.

The first is a potluck supper at 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, at the church, 28 High St.

A highlight of the evening will be a retrospective slide collection by church member Bob Seavey, presented by his daughter, Roberta Seavey.

A family-style Italian supper at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, is followed by a slide show presentation of Bangor history by my colleague and NEWS editorial page assistant, Dick Shaw.

A celebration of special music and historic liturgy will be featured at the 10 a.m. Worship Service Sunday, Sept. 21, to which all current and former church members are invited.

Anniversary organizers are seeking addresses of former members so they can be contacted about these activities. If you have updated information, you are asked to call the church office, 942-8651.

Rev. Dr. Mark Allen Doty will offer special Communion mediations about the church’s stained-glass windows during services on the following Sundays: Sept. 7, Oct. 5, and Nov. 2.

For more information about anniversary activities, call the church office.

Paul Herrick invites World War II veterans to lead Harmony’s 200th Anniversary Parade at 9:30 a.m. Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 1, on Route 154, north of the village.

For those unable to march, transportation will be provided.

If you want to carpool from Bangor, you should be at Cole Land Transportation Museum at 7:45 a.m. that day for an 8 a.m. departure. No reservations are needed, and each veteran will receive a voucher for a free chicken barbecue meal.

If you do plan to participate, you are asked to bring your smile and your WWII walking stick.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.