FRANCESTOWN — Ninety-five years ago, as American troops joined their European allies to defeat Kaiser Wilhelm’s soldiers, a small town in southern New Hampshire hosted a celebration on Labor Day to raise money for the American Red Cross. This weekend, the Labor Day Celebration will continue with a variety of family-friendly events.

“It’s absolutely amazing that our festival has lasted 95 years,” said Carol Prest Barr, who has been helping organize the event for the last 25 years. “It’s something I always look forward to.”

Barr, a member of the Francestown Improvement and Historical Society that hosts the townwide event, said that it’s the organization’s major annual fundraiser that helps the town accomplish everything from the extensive renovation of the Old Meeting Hall to refurbishing the town’s Concord Coach to putting wreaths on the doors of town buildings at Christmas time.

“There are literally hundreds of community projects funded by this one event every year,” she said.

The celebration begins Saturday with a dance at the Francestown Fire House, and on Sunday, the 18th annual mud volleyball tournament makes a splash at the Town Recreation Fields. On Sunday evening, vespers will be sung in the Old Meeting House and everyone is invited to sing along.

Monday will be full of activities, starting with the annual 5K road race and fun run, sales of everything from plants to toys to books, historical tours and museum exhibits, live music, and to honor the 95th anniversary of the celebration, a performance of the Flying Gravity Circus in front of town hall.

And throughout the day, in addition to dozens of other events and activities, the juried art show featuring artists and artisans from across New England will be taking place, featuring items for sale and demonstrations of different arts and crafts.

Barr said this part of the celebration is the arts show is her pride and joy and she has sat on the committee that organizes it for a quarter of a century.

“For those of us on the committee, it’s all about helping people share their creations, showcasing their work, and bringing them into the community,” she said.

Potter Alice Drew, whose unique work was recently acquired by Lenox for its china patterns, will be sharing her work at the show, along with Randall Ferrara, a photographer who worked for National Geographic, Barr said.

A canoe maker, a woman who hooks exquisite rugs, and nearly a dozen other artisans will be on hand, sharing their work, giving lessons and offering advice.

But the centerpiece of Labor Day in Francestown is the annual parade with its many floats and groups of participants presenting this year’s theme, “Inventions and Discoveries.”

“I just can’t wait to see what people come up with,” said Barr.

For a complete list of activities and a schedule of events, visit www.francestownhistory.info.

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