PALMYRA – If townspeople think one of their selectmen, Dan Sprague, is looking particularly scruffy these days, they shouldn’t worry. It’s all about community pride.

Sprague and others are growing their whiskers as part of a beard contest for the town’s 200th birthday next month.

“It’s all coming together,” said Pat White, chairman of the Palmyra Bicentennial Committee.

For the past year, a bevy of committees – parade, memorial book, music – have been meeting to make the event the best the town has seen.

The three-day event is set for June 22-24.

“We have some really good plans,” White said. The inclusion of Blistered Fingers, a popular group, is expected to boost attendance. “We may see thousands turn out for them.” Blistered Fingers is a Waterville-based acoustic bluegrass band.

The latest news on the project is that the 200th anniversary books are ready and available at the town office. Hardcover volumes are $25, softcover $15, White said. The books are filled with historical information and family histories.

White said that May 25 is the deadline for baby picture entrants in the Pretty Baby Picture Contest. All Palmyra children up to and including age 5 are eligible to participate, many prizes will be awarded. Pictures should be dropped off at the town hall.

White has released a tentative schedule of events. Unless noted, events will be held in the park next to the town hall. The schedule:

. Friday, June 22: 5-7 p.m. gospel music by The Campbells; 7 p.m. variety show at Palmyra Consolidated School; Pretty Baby Picture Contest and beard contest at the variety show; 5-9 p.m. fair and carnival rides.

. Saturday, June 23: 9 a.m. pancake breakfast at town hall; 10 a.m. parade on Main Street; 11:30 a.m. bicentennial parade awards ceremony at town hall parking lot; 11 a.m. fair and carnival opens, Newport Fire Department chicken barbecue, horseshoe sign-up; 11:30 a.m. entertainment and music begins, including performances by Tim Sample,

Magic by Wes Booth, music by Blistered Fingers, 3 Horsemen, Hole in the Wall, and Ken Brooks; noon, horseshoes; noon, farmers’ draft horse exhibit at the town garage; 4:30, church supper at St. Martin’s parish hall; 7 p.m., dance lessons at Palmyra Consolidated School gym; 9:15 p.m., fireworks from the town garage.

. Sunday, June 24: 8:30 a.m., church services at St. Martin’s parish hall; 12-5 p.m., fair and carnival rides.

A craft tent and kids tent will be open throughout the weekend.