HOLLIS – The town’s traditional Old Home Days will be held this weekend at Nichols Field, 40 Depot Rd.

With exhibitor booths, art shows, artisan markets, live entertainment, tethered hot-air balloon rides, kid’s activities and fireworks, this year’s event promises to be another all-out celebration of heritage, home and community.

Festivities kick off on Friday evening, Sept. 20 with select vendors, carnival rides, food vendors and DJ Carryl Roy. On Saturday, events will run from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., with the parade at 10:30 a.m. featuring many community groups, antique cars and trucks, equestrians, VFW, honorary citizens and the Hollis Town Band.

Exhibitor booths on the midway run from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. on Saturday. The artisan market features fine art, jewelry, fiber arts and more (11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.). Children’s and teen’s art activities and a new Old Home Day scavenger hunt will happen at the Demonstration Tent near the Lawrence Barn.

The Noah Dow Cooper Shop, restored by the Hollis Heritage commission will be available to view. A pre-fireworks show will begin at 6:30 p.m. featuring local band Jamdemic with Joe Birch, so bring a chair and enjoy the show. The Fireworks begin just after 8 p.m.

For animal lovers on Saturday, the Hollis Area Equestrians will again demonstrate in the horse arena, with a dressed-up Pony Pageant at 11:30 a.m. The popular Granite State Disc Dogs will be back with two performances as well, as well as a collection of friendly farm animals in a petting zoo along the midway. New this year is a mechanical bull ride attraction, padded for safety and surrounded by an inflatable enclosure.

The Old Home Days silent auction will take place in the Lawrence Barn on Saturday and raffle baskets will again be at the Old Home Days tent on the midway. All proceeds benefit the Old Home Days fund. Please consider a donation directly to the Old Home Days fund, or check out the online store for tee-shirts, mugs, bags and other items. Find them online along with the weekend schedule at www.Hollisoldhomedays.org

Parking will be on site but limited, in a field on Depot Road and the ball field off Orchard Drive. There will also be two bus shuttles running this year on Saturday from the two elementary schools and one from the middle school, (after the parade). Both will stop at Monument Square as well. Please see details on the website and use this service or carpool.

Community volunteers are still needed for hour or two posts throughout the weekend and are encouraged to sign up here . Silent auction donations from businesses and local artists are still being sought out and accepted at Town Hall.