Francestown will host its 104th Labor Day Carnival this weekend.
Activities are planned 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 “It Happened in Francestown.”
Gabby Paige has been chair of the Labor Day Committee since 2019. This year, she said, “I received my first email about Labor Day in March and for other events some chairs received emails even earlier than he. But most of our planning starts in June because our festival is full of traditions.”
The weekend requires community cooperation, communication and commitment to get away. Paige explained that there are “too many [people involved] to count. We have so many volunteers who help before and after, everyone contributes so much.”
The annual Labor Day weekend festivities begin with a tennis tournament on Saturday morning. In the evening “we’ll have a DJ, Dan Trow, for our rock-and-roll dance on Saturday,” Paige said. “And before that we have traditional craft demonstrations from 22:00 to 14:00 in continuation of our 250th anniversary celebration.” Francestown celebrated its 250th anniversary in June.
Labor Day is a big deal in Francestown, and Paige believes it contributes to “a real sense of community” within the town.
“A lot of people come together to make this happen, and it brings so many people for all kinds 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 dinner service at the Old Meeting House, to rummage sales, a tank and an art show. There is plenty to choose from for all ages and interests.
“I’m excited about it all,” said Paige, “Our hearts really go into everything we do. It’s a lot of fun to be a part of.”
On Mondays, 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 9.30am and 1.30pm. There will be a break in shuttle service for the Main Street parade at 2pm, then service will resume from 3pm to 4pm.
Labor Day Events
Saturday, September 3
Tennis Tournament: Starting at 8am at venues around town
Traditional Artisan Demonstration: 10am to 2pm at Common and Main Streets in town
Saturday Night Dance with DJ Dan Trow: 7 to 10pm at Town Hall
Sunday, September 4
Tennis Tournament: Continues in various locations
27th Annual Clay Volleyball Tournament: Begins at 10 a.m. at City Recreation Fields – Route 136
Evening: 19:00 inside the Old Meeting House
Monday, September 5
Francestown Five Road Race 5K: 9:00 a.m. Kids Run, 9:45 a.m. registration on lawn to right of Old Meeting House
Baked Goods, Plants, White Elephant: Open 10 a.m. at the Horse Barns
Rummage: Opens at 10am at Francestown Town Hall
Bee and Heritage Museums: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Bixby Memorial Library: 10am to 1pm on Main Street
Books: Opens 10am, FIHS Lodge, Main Street
Tank dunk: Town Common
Ice Cream Social: 10.30am to 2pm at the Old Meeting House
Information booth and raffle tickets: Opposite Town Common
Raffle and Parade Prizes: Approximately 3:45pm outside City Hall
Juried Arts and Crafts: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the lawn in front of the city offices and FIHS Park on Main Street
Labels: Available from the Label 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.
It Happened in Francestown Parade: 2pm on Main Street. Parade registration begins at 1:15 pm at the post office
Food: Opens around 11:00
Country Cafe: Between the Heritage Museum and the Hive – wraps, salads and drinks
Country Cuisine: City Common on Horse Burgers, Hot Dogs, Sodas, and More
fun
RP Hale harpsichord and dulcimer performance, 19th-century printmaking demonstration: 11:30 a.m. inside the Old Meeting House
Wildlife Encounters: Noon in the town common near the town hall
Temple Band: 3pm on the Town Common adjacent to the Town Hall
