Get ready for Groton Olde Home Days!

While Groton boasts many fun, interesting or entertaining events throughout the year, Groton Olde Home Days (GOHD) seems to be the one most anticipated by children and adults alike — and it’s almost here! August would not be August in Groton without it, and this year the event will begin with the opening of the Playland Amusements Carnival Midway at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22. It will conclude on Saturday, Aug. 24, with music late into the night.

The family-friendly, old-fashioned carnival will be open in the Speedway lot on Main Street at 6 p.m. nightly Thursday and Friday, and noon on Saturday, with fun for the entire family, including rides, games and classic carnival food. There will be a wristband special for rides from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Possibly tied for first place in popularity with the carnival is the Groton Fire Department grand parade, which will step off from East Cortland Street and turn at Main Street at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Marchers, floats, veterans’ organizations, antique and classic autos and tractors, horses and wagons and other parade specialties average around 150 units — the largest parade in our region! It also features the Pittsford Fire Department Marching Band, an old-time traditional firefighters’ band from Monroe County, which is 40 members strong.

The usual plethora of food and beverages will be available on Friday and Saturday, with more vendors than ever before, including Fred Hots and Dugan’s food trucks, Foggy Bog Hunting Camp’s famous food and many others.

New this year, Groton Assembly of God church will have homemade strawberry shortcake in front of the former Clothing Closet, 160 Main St., for $5 a bowl to benefit its fellowship hall renovation.

Also new and exciting this year will be an open house of the new Groton Fire Department and Municipal Office Building from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday. Hot dogs will be served by board members and fire department personnel. There will be music by Josh Dwyer under the patio and nonprofit vendors and informational booths in the municipal building parking lot.

The Groton Future Farmers of America (FFA) will hold a tractor show from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday on Conger Boulevard and will be selling a barbecue lunch from 11 a.m. until gone.

The Groton Historical Association will sponsor its famous “Crafts & Collectibles” show and sale in the Town Barn on Conger Boulevard from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

The annual Groton Cruisers Car Club car show will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Car registration begins at 8 a.m. with a $10 fee per car. There will be drawings for $25 gift cards throughout the show for participants. Spectators are invited free of charge.

The Motorcycle and Bicycle Show and Swap Meet will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday at Matt’s Auto. Call 607-644-0638 for more information or to arrange to join them in the Grand Parade!

Baker-Miller Lumber will offer tie-dyeing from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday. Sir James the Balloon Artist will perform a magic show at 1 p.m. in the Conger Boulevard Gazebo, and then he will be strolling on Main Street from 1:30 to 5 p.m., ready to make his amazing and free balloon creations for everyone.

Not to be missed for the children are Paw Patrol and the Cornell Raptor Program birds of prey. Look for them on Conger Boulevard 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, along with free pony rides and a petting zoo, and the Physics Bus from 2 to 5 p.m.

The Groton American Legion Post 800 Auxiliary will have a cake wheel from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, and the Legion will hold its building fund raffle drawing at 3 p.m. Saturday.

The annual Groton Art Show will take place at the Groton American Legion Post 800. Drop-off and registration of art pieces will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and the opening gala will be on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. The art show itself will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. For more information, contact Marian Davie at mdavie123@gmail.com or 607-279-6676.

Throughout the weekend, music will fill the air in a few different places. The Leisure Studio Concert Stage, 123 Main St. — proudly sponsored by Summerhill Brewing with lights and sound provided by Marlette Sound and Leisure Studios — will feature music on Saturday with Crystal Vision Band at 7 p.m. and Chasing Neon at 9 p.m. Beer, wine and cider from Summerhill Brewing and burgers and sides from Casper’s Kitchen will be available for purchase.

The band Freeway will kick off the music lineup at the Groton American Legion Post 800 pavilion from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, followed by Past My Bedtime at 8 p.m., sponsored by Tompkins Cortland Real Estate LLC. The Pittsford Marching Band will perform right after the parade on Saturday, sponsored by the Groton Fire Department and Lee Shurtleff, followed by Chris Taylor & the Custom Taylor Band at 8 p.m., sponsored by The First National Bank of Groton.

For even more information, find Groton Olde Home Days on Facebook or visit the website at grotonny.org/groton-olde-home-days. There is no shortage of fun during GOHD, so don’t miss this wonderful Groton tradition!  

Groton on the Inside appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Submit story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com or text or call Linda at 607-227-4922. 

In brief:

Spaghetti dinner

After several years of hiatus, Groton Assembly of God, 701 S. Main St., will again offer their renowned Groton Olde Home Days spaghetti dinner from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23, with live Italian music to entertain you as you dine. Cost is $10 for anyone aged 10 and older and $5 for anyone under age 10.

The meal will include spaghetti (gluten-free available), meatballs, tossed salad, homemade bread, homemade dessert (choice of cheesecake, chocolate cake, or cookies) and beverages. Takeout is also available.

Library friends

The Friends of the Groton Public Library will sponsor a book sale during Groton Olde Home Days, with proceeds to benefit the library. The sale will be open from noon to 8 p.m. both Thursday and Friday. Children’s books will be 25 cents each, adult hardcover books are priced at 50 cents each, and paperbacks will be free of charge.

VBS at Heritage Baptist Church

Heritage Baptist Church, 108 Elm St., invites children aged 4-12 to its Vacation Bible School, Go For The Gold, held nightly from 6 to 8:30 p.m. August 26 through 30. For more information, call 315-396-6382.