Francestowners turned out in force for the town’s 107th consecutive Labor Day celebration.

The 2025 parade theme was “The Great Outdoors.”

Parade judges were Doug Bechtel, president of New Hampshire Audubon, who was assisted by his daughter, Myrica Bechtel; author and naturalist Susie Spikol, community programs director and teacher at the Harris Center for Conservation Education, and Will Kirkpatrick, park manager of Monadnock State Park.

The town awarded a Special Recognition prize to the Francestown Police Department for “keeping our community safe.”

Francestown Police Chief Fred Douglas, left, kept an eye on the proceedings. Credit: STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS

The Grand Prize for best float was awarded to “Get Outdoors” by the Hardwick and Paige families for “Best Fit with the Theme.”

First prize went to “Adventure Club” by Chris Pelletier.

Second prize went to “Work and Play at Babby & Grampy’s”  by the Bedard Family.

“Work and Play at Babby and Grampy’s” by the Bedard family. Credit: COURTESY DIANA PLACE

Third price went to “Floating on the Pond” by Hannah Procter.

“Floating on the Pond” by Hannah Procter.

Best Vehicle was awarded to the “1974 MG”  by Gene Moody.

Second prize was awarded to “Moody Fire Truck 1980” by Gene Moody.

Third prize was awarded to “Green Dream Mercedes” by Sinah Badrawy.

For Most Artistic Float, first prize when to the Monadnock Roller Derby float by Jaclyn Drew and the Monadnock Roller Derby team.

The Monadnock Roller Derby float created a forest and campfire. Credit: COURTESY DIANA PLACE

Second prize went to   “Adventure Club” by Chris Pelletier.

First prize float “Adventure Club” by Chris Pelletier. Credit: COURTESY DIANA PLACE

First prize for Most Humorous Float went to “The Great Indoors” by the Adams, Stewart and Cornell Families.

“The Great Indoors” by the Adams, Stewart and Cornell Families. Credit: COURTESY DIANA PLACE

Second prize went to “Rusty 1957 Porsche”  by Tom Clark.

“Rusty 1957 Porsche (“clearly spends lots of time in the great outdoors”) by Tom Clark Credit: COURTESY DIANA PLACE

Third prize went to “Horse on Wheels” by Mariah Kiblin.

First prize for Best Walkers went to “Learning Outdoors” by the children and parents of Francestown Elementary School.

Children and parents from Francestown Elementary School. Credit: JESSECA TIMMONS/Ledger-Transcript

Second prize went to “Hike, Heal, and Eat Chicken”  by Adam Galusha.

First prize for Best Animal / Horse went to “Trail Riders” by Maddie Podsadowski.

Francestown Trail riders. Credit: COURTESY DIANA PLACE

Second prize went to Monadnock Roller Derby by Jacklyn Drew and the Monadnock Roller Derby team.

For Best Commercial Entry, first prize went to ” Spot the Robot” by General Dynamics entered by Greg Thomason.

General Dynamics “Spot the Robot” by Greg Thomason. Credit: COURTESY DIANA PLACE

Second prize went to the NH Party Bus by Kelly Socia.

First prize for Best Effort went to “Always Out”  by Starrett Farm and Henry Kuhnhardt and Family.

“Always Out” by Henry Kuhnardt and family.

Second prize went to “Learning Outdoors” by Francestown Elementary School children and parents.

The Judges Special Pick Award went to ” John Deere with Sleeping baby” by Justin Kiblin.

Justin Kiblin, his antique John Deere, and a sleeping baby. Credit: COURTESY DIANA PLACE
From left, Marcy Tripp, Ted Graham, Tom Bixby and Cindy Bixby waiting for the parade. Credit: STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS / Monadnock Ledger-Transcript
Francestown residents lined up to watch the 2025 Labor Day Parade. Credit: STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS
Fire trucks process down Main Street. Credit: STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS / Monadnock Ledger-Transcript
The Town Hall hosted a white elephant sale, bake sale, and plant sale. Credit: STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS / Monadnock Ledger-Transcript
Crowds gathered for the 107th Labor Day Celebration in Francestown, Credit: STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS / Monadnock Ledger-Transcript
Members of the Temple Town Band in Saturday’s parade. Credit: COURTESY DIANA PLACE
From left: Liam Cook, Kellen Steere, Owen Kandalakis, Cole Dexter and Ben Carrara watching the parade. Credit: STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS / Monadnock Ledger-Transcript
Kristen Landry, left and Nicole Hague with their toddlers. Credit: STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS / Monadnock Ledger-Transcript
The 2025 Francestown Labor Day Parade. Credit: COURTESY DIANA PLACE
The NH Party Bus by Kelly Socia. Credit: CCOURTESY DIANA PLACE
Francestown Parade judges Doug Bechtel, Susie Spikol, and Will Kirkpatrick, with assistance from Myrica Bechtel. Credit: COURTESY DIANE PLACE
Cyrena Arnold leads the group at the Francestown 5K on Monday, September 1. Credit: COURTESY MAY ARNOLD, AGE 8
The parade coming around the bend at the Old Meetinghouse. Credit: STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS / Monadnock Ledger-Transcript
Children scrambling to pick up candy at Francestown Labor Day parade on Monday, September 1. Credit: STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS / Monadnock Ledger-Transcript
Members of the Monadnock Roller Derby roll down Main Street. Credit: COURTESY DIANA PLACE
The Town Hall hosted a white elephant sale, bake sale, and plant sale. Credit: STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS / Monadnock Ledger-Transcript
Firetruck bring up the rear of the parade.
The wall at the Old Meetinghouse is a popular viewing spot for the parade. Credit: STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS
The Temple Town Band.
Children race for candy at the Francestown Labor Day parade.