WEARE — An old-fashioned festival to celebrate the town’s past and present and bring the community together will be held in Weare Center this weekend.

On Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Weare will host its annual Old Home Day, a tradition that has come and gone and come back again since the first celebration in August 1900, said organizer Heleen Kurk.

“At that time many in the community had moved away to search for easier farming and to work in large mills. Thus, that first Old Home Day’s sole purpose was for people to be ‘going home,’” Kurk said.

Lots of folks turned out for the town’s second Old Home Day in 1901, but the tradition stopped until 1934, when, in the midst of the Depression, Weare folks once again decided to celebrate. The fourth Old Home Day didn’t come along until three years after World War II ended, in 1948.

It wasn’t until 2006, when the Weare Historical Society designated the last Saturday of August as the official date of Old Home Day, that the celebration became an annual tradition.

“This year, as in the past, we are combining the history of the past with the interests and community of the present,” said Kurk. “The Weare Historical Society Museum takes us back to the farming and manufacturing days in Weare. Some of our exhibitors perform crafts of the past. Others deliver contemporary things of interest.”

This year there will be a four-mile run, a silent auction and raffles, Sparky the Robotic Fire Dog, a bike and helmet safety check, Caring Paws Therapy Dogs to read to, a hula hoop contest, and a chance for anyone to perform during the “Weare’s Got Talent” show.

There’s plenty to do and see, including the Touch a Truck event that gives kids a chance to explore the big vehicles that do the heavy lifting, as well as a car show that celebrates antique, classic and muscle cars and hot rods (3 p.m.).

For alumni of Weare High School, a chance to reconnect with classmates, and bookworms can pick up reading materials and homemade baked goods at Weare Public Library’s book sale at Town Hall.

There will be live music on the gazebo, martial arts demonstrations throughout the day, and lots of tasty treats for sale.

The event will be held rain or shine, with most activities moved into the middle-school gym if there is inclement weather. The schedule includes:

9 a.m. — Four-mile walk/run. Registration is at 8 a.m. at the middle school.

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Friends of the Library and Lions Club book and bake sale at Town Hall.

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Weare Historical Society museum open.

9 a.m. to 6 p.m. — More than 50 exhibitors, including artisans, 4-H, Scouts, community groups and businesses, food, games and Touch a Truck.

10 to 11 a.m.— Folk music by Kip Ferguson at the gazebo.

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Bike and helmet safety check.

Weare High School class reunion at the middle school.

11 to 11:30 a.m. — RTH martial arts demonstration.

11:30 a.m. to noon — Hula hoop contest.

Noon to 12:30 p.m. — RTH martial arts demonstration.

12:30 to 1:30 p.m. — Weare’s Got Talent.

1:30 to 2 p.m. — RTH martial arts demonstration.

2 to 2:30 p.m. — K-9 demonstration.

2:30 to 3 p.m. — RTH martial arts demonstration.

3 to 6 p.m. — Antique and classic car show.

Peter Hostage jazz/blues band.

- - - - - - - -

Nancy Bean Foster may be reached at nfoster@newstote.com.