Londonderry Old Home Day

Friday night was a fabulous time – slightly damp – but fabulous! The fireworks were fantastic! “The best I’ve seen in 11 years of coming to the fireworks!” said one Mom.

Many people watched from their cars and enjoyed a spectacular show. Others preferred to stand in the rain and ooh and aah! Even if you didn’t see the fireworks, we’re betting that many Londonderry residents heard them!

Unfortunately the “Souled Out” band was unable to perform due to weather conditions. They have given us many great shows in the past and we thank them for coming to play for us!

Here is a group of folks ready to have some fun!

These four cool cats with hats were having a blast!

Ann Gaffney and son Neil came prepared for the weather!

These girls were having fun with a balloon.

Mary Tetreau
OHD Photographer & Blog Queen

7:30 Update Souled out has left the building.

Due to the lighting strikes just 2 miles away they were unable to power up the equipment after a two hour setup. They broke down and departed the stage in front of the Londonderry High School.

The Fire works will start at 8:35 on the dot. They are not canceled due to Rain. View them from your home, or your car. The parking Lots at the high school are open in front of the Gym, or park on “the plato” located to the north side of the building. This lot would be closest to the fireworks and is normally closed. It is safe this year to park there as the firework launch area is back further.

The school lobby is open for those that want to wait inside and then exit when the fireworks start (should it be safe to do so.)

More HERE in this Londonderry Hometown Online News as it happens story.

The evening sun beamed down on close to 200 seniors and guests at the opening festivities of Old Home Day on Wednesday. It was the perfect start to the town’s annual five-day event, which ends Sunday, Aug. 17.

Members of the Londonderry Lions Club got a head start on their barbecue skills as they grilled up hot dogs and hamburgers for the hungry crowd. The Lions will be back manning the grills on Saturday during the busiest day of festivities.

While 182 seniors signed up for the free barbecue and organizers tried their best to plan for the amount of food, the potato salad was scooped up quickly, leaving some disappointed. To make up for it, free treats were offered when the ice cream truck pulled up. This is the second year the truck visited the Lions Pavilion, and it was again a big hit.

Read the rest of the story in the Derry News by Suzanne Laurent “Sunshine, seniors and songs Old Home Day festivities off to a rousing start.“

Kidz Night was full of excitement, bounce houses, clowns, balloon animals, fire trucks, and more! Much more!

Ciara Amarena gets out to a lead in the sack race. She will go on to win the race!

Here Killian Franklin (7) gets a tour of the fire truck with Londonderry firefighter Jeremy Mague!

The Neville girls have a new brother, Daniel, who has just been adopted and come home to Londonderry from China. Emma (9), Daniel (3), MaryCatherine (3), and Sarah (15), surround mother Liz Neville.

The Raza boys eat ice cream. Nate is 9, Eric is 5-3/4, and Justin is 3.

Kim Marcantonio and a bunch of happy kids enjoy an exciting activity.

Scooby Doo is having a great time with Miss Londonderry and Miss Teen Londoderry.

Newly crowned Miss Londonderry is Darcy Cain (22) of Manchester. She is a biology major at UNH and was very interested in the Mad Science demonstration on the bandstand. Melanie Konstant (14) of Manchester is Miss Teen Londonderry.

Beauty Shea Robinson and the mysterious Beast pose for the camera.

Mary Tetreau
Big Kid & Blog Princess

Many hungry seniors enjoyed the senior cookout on Wed night. Tom & Geri Cox enjoyed themselves as shown below.

Senior hotties with Ms. Londonderry (in pink) chat after a nostalgic ice cream.

Jenna belts out old standards with the Windham Swing Band.

A large crowd enjoyed the concert by the Windham Swing Band. Here some folks sing along.

Special guest Congressman Jeb Bradley also enjoyed meeting folks and greeting old friends at the cookout. Here he is with State Rep Bob Introne, Sharon Carson, and Man-About-Town Chet Ham.

The Lynch sisters – Courtney (9), Sarah (7), and Ashley (7) – with friend Simone Niles all enjoyed climbing on the cannon on Londonderry Town Common. Their parents brought them out to hear the concert by the Windham Swing Band.

Mary Tetreau and Al Baldasaro agree: it’s fun to be on the Old Home Day Committee!

Mary Tetreau
OHD Photographer

Kidz Night is on the Londonderry Town Common on Thursday Aug 14 from 5:30-8:30 PM. There will be bounce houses galore! Come for the clowns, food, games and activities. Climb into a fire engine! Get a wonderful back-to-school pencil from the Londonderry police officers. (The blog queen does this every year because she needs lots of pencils to write with!)

This fantastic event is designed for families with kids aged 10 and under.

Last year two thousand people (most of them kids) attended Kidz Night on Thursday at the Common.

Will and Sean were dazzled by the newly crowned Miss Londonderry, Elysha Greenberg. A friend asked, “Were you born Miss Londonderry?”

Clowns made amazing animal balloons for the young crowd!

Who will win the sack race?

A giant turtle tried to run free!

Surprise guest Shrek and Puss in Boots!

Sean enjoyed his seat on the cannon!

Alex was interested in the Science show at the bandstand.

Mary Tetreau
Big Kid

The Senior Cookout beings at 5 PM and ends at 6 PM on Wed Aug 13! Tickets are required; call Carole Connolly at 434-7568. Come on down to the Lions Pavilion for a great free feast!

The Windham Swing Band is sure to delight folks of all ages in a fantastic Concert on the Common. Yes, you heard me right, anyone of any age can attend this outstanding event! Look how much fun folks had in 2007!

The Lions grilled up delicious hamburgers, and served 165 seniors!

Carole Connolly did the hard work of coordinating the cookout, and Jim and Doris Finch were delighted to pose with her!

The concert by the Windham swing band was fantastic! A fun and musical evening under the stars!

Rain location: Londonderry High School cafeteria (both events)

Mary Tetreau
Blog Queen

Put on your dancing shoes for Friday August 15! Here, some Londonderry young folks enjoy the excitement of a rock concert before the fireworks display.

 

Young Sean and Alex got a chance to show some dance moves while they enjoyed the excitement!

 

 

Friday night the place to be is in front of Londonderry High School. The fireworks start at 8:30 PM. This year fireworks are provided by a company run by Londonderry folks.

The “Souled Out” band will once again rock the joint with their great music. Get there early to hear the band.

Don’t forget a chair or blanket to sit on.

Here are some photos of great fireworks! Thanks to Steve Young for taking these photos.

Written by
Mary Tetreau
Fireworks Princess

The Official Booth Map is now available on the Old Home Day Website.  All exhibitors should have received a letter of confirmation by email at this time.

A pdf file can be downloaded HERE.

1.    Londonderry Taxpayers Association
2.    DB Trees
3.    Friends of Londonderry Hockey
4.    Friends of Londonderry Hockey
5.    Blue Seal Feeds
6.    Tae Kwon Do Karate Club
7.    Pack 901
8.    The MET Childrens Museum
9.    Sweet Lollipop Shop
10.  Knights of Columbus #6949
11.  HTA Tax Prep.
12.  Alphonse Baluta, MD
13.  Pathfinders
14.  Knights of Columbus #10488 – St. Marks
15 – 20. Londonderry Youth Football
21.  Friends of Mel Foundation
22.  St. Marks Church
23.  Flying Tigers
24.  Londonderry Republican  Comittee
25.  Inventioneers/Energy Efficiency Task Force
26.  Londonderry Senior Citizens Inc.
27.  Londonderry School District/LEO
28.  Londonderry School District/LEO
29.  Hannaford
30.  Parkland Medial Center
31.  American Legion Post 27
32.  US Army Reserves
33.  Beanies for Baghdad
34.  Londonderry Blue Lions Cheerleading
35.  Londonderry Blue Lions Cheerleading
36.  LHS Math Team
37.  Londonderry Democratic Committee
38.  Londonderry Girl Scout
39.  Prudential Verani Realty
40.  The Red Hatters/Purple Starlet of Londonderry
41.  Londonderry Baptist Church
42.  Dana Farber
43.  Londonderry Church of the Nazarene
44.  Oxford Learning
45.  Destination Imagination
46.  Etz Hayim Synagogue
47.  Nutfield Publishing
48.  Old Home Day Committee
49.  Londonderry Trailways
50.  St. Peters Church
51.  Cub Scout Pack 605
52.  Christian Fellowship Baptist Church
53.  Christian Fellowship Baptist Church
54.  Londonderry ALERT
55.  Sweetest Memories
56.  Shaws
57.  House of the Samurai
58.  Estey Lumber
59.  Community Care Givers of Derry
60.  Liberty Mutual
61.  Derry News
62.  Londonderry Friends of Music
63.  Visting Nurses
64.  The Elliot Medical Center Londonderry
65.  The Elliot Medical Center Londonderry
66.  The Elliot Medical Center Londonderry
67.  Friends of the Leach Library
68.  Uncle Benz
First Aid Station – Londonderry Fire and Police

Using apple trees as cover, Revolutionary War soldiers turned a grassy field off Pillsbury Road into a battlefield yesterday.

The reenactment, which was held next to the Historical Society’s blacksmith shop, museum and barn, was part of Londonderry’s 108th Old Home Day celebration yesterday.

Click HERE for the full story by Eric Parry in the Eagle Tribune

Image courtesy LondonderryNH.net

Here are some photos of the great fireworks! Thousands enjoyed the fireworks by the high school on Friday night.

The “Souled Out” band rocked the joint with their great music.

The weather was ideal for watching fireworks.

Thanks to Steve Young for taking these photos.

Written by
Mary Tetreau
Fireworks Princess

The enormous trophy is handed over from the firefighters to the police!

Police Chief Joe Ryan with new officer Bettencourt, an outstanding addition to the team.

Three boys enjoyed the game.

The Police Team celebrates with their new trophy! Look how big it is!

Here a policeman’s daughter helps out with the trophy!

Mom and kids are huge fans!

Written by
Mary Tetreau
Softball Star

Londonderry’s observance of its 108th consecutive Old Home Day dates back to the tradition begun by Gov. Frank Rollins in the late 19th century. As reported in the archives of the Library of Congress, Gov. Rollins proclaimed in 1897, “I wish that in the ear of every son and daughter of New Hampshire, in the summer days, might be heard whispered the persuasive words: “Come back, come back!” Do you not hear the call? What has become of the old home where you were born? Do you not remember it — the old farm back among the hills, with its rambling buildings, its well sweep casting its long shadows, the row of stiff poplar trees, the lilacs and the willows?”

Click HERE for the full column in the Derry News by Londonderry’s Tom Dolan

Two thousand people (most of them kids) attended Kidz Night on Thursday at the Common.

Will and Sean were dazzled by the newly crowned Miss Londonderry, Elysha Greenberg. A friend asked, “Were you born Miss Londonderry?”

Clowns made amazing animal balloons for the young crowd!

Who will win the sack race?

A giant turtle tried to run free!

Surprise guest Shrek and Puss in Boots!

Sean enjoyed his seat on the cannon!

Alex was interested in the Science show at the bandstand.

Mary Tetreau
Big Kid

If bounce houses are your thing, Kidz Night is the place to be!

Kidz Night is on Thursday, Aug 16 from 5:30 – 8:30 PM on the Common. It’s loads of fun for families with children 10 and under!

These girls are thrilled to meet Cinderella and Prince Charming.

The House of the Samurais, Londonderry Dance Academy, Wildlife Encounters, Mad Science Fire and Ice Show, and the Yo Yo People provide live entertainment throughout the festivities.

Police and firefighters add to the fun. You can climb into a fire truck! Make sure you get an official police pencil for back to school! The Blog Queen always gets a pencil to help her write her Old Home Day blog!

See you there!

Mary Tetreau
Blog Queen

The largest event of Old Home Day is the Parade held on Saturday, August 18^th. The entire Middle School parking lot is used for a staging area. With three high school marching bands and numerous other professional units there will be over 1000 individuals preparing to march in this fun parade.

There will be absolutely no parking allowed at the Middle School form 7:00 am to 12:00 pm on Saturday. Once the parade has left the school all are invited to park at this location. A complete listing of rules and regulation for the parade are listed below.

• All motor and float units shall form in their assigned assembly area not later than 8:30am and all non-motor units shall form in their assigned assembly area not later than 9:00am.
• Throwing objects to spectators along the parade route is absolutely prohibited. You may hand items to spectators, this is Londonderry Police Policy, and it is for the protection and safety of parade spectators.
• ALL FLOATS MUST HAVE DESIGNATED SPOTTERS
• Absolutely no parking at the Londonderry Middle School (parade assembly area).
• Motorized units of any kind shall not be allowed to return to the start of the parade using the parade route until the parade is completed.
• It is highly recommended for life and safety reasons that you meet your children at the end of the parade (Mack’s Apples). Please do not have children try to locate you at the Town Common. THIS IS SERIOUS! A child can easily be lost or seriously injured without proper parental supervision.
• Use of spray or foam material is prohibited.
• The Committee shall have the right to limit the size of or reject any participant group if it deems that it is in the best interest and spirit of the Old Home Day Celebration.
• All parade participants must keep up with the pace of the parade. Failure to maintain a reasonable pace will result in participant removal at an appropriate location. Participants with permission from the Parade Coordinator may be given an opportunity to perform at various parade intervals.
• Failure to comply with any parade rules or direct orders from the Parade Coordinator or Committee members may result in direct expulsion from the parade.

Edythe Dowd had a hard time deciding what she wanted from the Good Humor ice-cream truck that stopped by the Lions Club Pavilion as 160 senior citizens finished their barbecue dinner last night

“Hurry up and decide,” Denise Shanks shouted to her. “Or get back in line.”

Dowd, decked out for the occasion with large dangling earrings and an embroidered jacket, laughed and chose an ice-cream sandwich – which seemed to be the item of choice for most of the crowd.

Senior Night, with members of the Lions Club manning the grill, kicked off the town’s 108th Old Home Day celebration.

Click HERE for the rest of a great story by Suzanne Laurent in the Eagle Tribune

The Senior Cookout was a huge success!

The Lions grilled up delicious hamburgers, and served 165 seniors!

Carole Connolly did the hard work of coordinating the cookout, and Jim and Doris Finch were delighted to pose with her!

The concert by the Windham swing band was fantastic! A fun and musical evening under the stars!

Mary Tetreau
Blog Queen

Governor Lynch is not the only one heading for Londonderry Old Home day this week; look who is making the long walk from Bikini Bottom! We understand many of your childhood friends and super heroes will be on the common Thursday night from 5:30 – 8:30 PM. Perhaps even Sponge Bob SquarePants! This event is great for families with children 10 and under!