LONDONDERRY — The town showed its pride with the 125th annual Old Home Day that brought a parade, historical reenactors and more to Londonderry on Saturday.
On Saturday, the Little Miss and Little Mister Londonderry pageant was held, artisans sold their goods in the center of town, and Revolutionary and Civil War encampments drew crowds.
One highlight was the Old Home Day parade, which featured 75 participants, ranging from politicians to marching bands from Londonderry and Alvirne High Schools.
Old Home Day actually was spread out over four days and this year’s theme is “Blast from the Past,” celebrating the history of Londonderry and Old Home Day.
The observance has been a long-standing tradition for the past century. It began in 1899 by Gov. Frank Rollins sought to remedy the decline of the small farming towns by inviting former residents, friends and family back to the Granite State to make new acquaintances and renew old ones.
Londonderry is one of a handful of communities in the state that have faithfully observed Old Home Day on the third weekend in August since 1899.