Francestown will host its 104th Labor Day carnival this weekend.
Activities are scheduled for Saturday, Sunday and Monday around town, with various food, art and entertainment options, including a parade down Main Street on Monday with the theme of “It Happened in Francestown.”
Gabby Paige has been the chair of the Labor Day Committee since 2019. This year, she said, “I got my first Labor Day-related email in March and for other events some chairs got emails even earlier than tha. But the majority of our planning begins in June because our festival is full of traditions.”
The weekend requires community collaboration, communication and commitment to pull off. Paige explained there are “too many [people involved] to count. We have so many volunteers helping before during and after that all contribute so much.”
The annual Labor Day weekend festivities start with a tennis tournament on Saturday morning. In the evening “we are having a DJ, Dan Trow, for our rock-and-roll dance on Saturday,” Paige said. “And before that we have traditional artisan demonstrations from 10 to 2 p.m. in continuance of our 250th birthday celebration.” Francestown celebrated its 250th anniversary in June.
Labor Day is a big deal in Francestown, and Paige believes it contributes to “a true sense of community” within the town.
“A lot of people come together to make this happen, and it brings in so many people for all sorts of different reasons because there’s a little bit of everything for everyone to enjoy,” she said.
The Labor Day celebration offers a wide range of activities, from a traditional vespers service in the Old Meeting House to rummage sales, a dunk tank and an art show. There’s a lot to choose from for all ages and interests.
“I am excited for all of it,” Paige said, “Our hearts really go into everything we do. Its all so much fun to be a part of.”
On Monday, free parking is available at 109 New Boston Road and Francestown Elementary School. A shuttle will transport people to and from the Town Common between 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. There will be a break in shuttle service for the parade on Main Street at 2 p.m., then service will resume from 3 to 4 p.m.
Labor Day events
Saturday, Sept. 3
Tennis tournament: Starting at 8 a.m. at locations around town
Traditional artisan demonstrations: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Town Common and Main Street
Saturday night dance with DJ Dan Trow: 7 to 10 p.m. at Town Hall
Sunday, Sept. 4
Tennis tournament: Continues at various locations
27th annual mud volleyball tournament: Starts at 10 a.m. at town recreation fields – Route 136
Vespers: 7 p.m. inside the Old Meeting House
Monday, Sept. 5
Francestown Five Road Race 5K: 9 a.m. Children’s Run, 9:45 a.m. registration on lawn to right of Old Meeting House
Baked goods, plants, white elephant: Open at 10 a.m. at horse sheds
Rummage: Opens at 10 a.m. at Francestown Town Hall
Beehive and Heritage museums: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Bixby Memorial Library: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Main Stret
Books: Opens at 10 a.m., FIHS Lodge, Main Street
Dunk tank: Town Common
Ice cream social: 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Old Meeting House
Information booth and raffle tickets: In front of Town Common
Raffle drawing and parade prizes: Approximately 3:45 p.m. outside Town Hall
Juried arts and crafts: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the lawn in front of the Town Offices and FIHS Park on Main Street
Tags: Available from the “Tag Team,” Town Common
Free parking and shuttle service available: Park at 109 New Boston Road and Francestown Elementary School, shuttle to Town Common, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 3 to 4 p.m.
Parade “It Happened in Francestown”: 2 p.m. on Main Street. Parade registration starts at 1:15 p.m. at the post office
Food: Opening at approximately 11 a.m.
Country Cafe: Between the Heritage Museum and the Beehive – sandwich wraps, salads and beverages
Country Kitchen: Town Common in Horse Sheds-burgers, hot dogs, sodas and much more
Entertainment
R.P. Hale harpsichord and dulcimer performance, 19th-century printing demonstration: 11:30 a.m. inside Old Meeting House
Wildlife Encounters: Noon on the Town Common next to Town Hall
Temple Band: 3 p.m. on the Town Common next to Town Hall