Old Home Days Event Ideas for New England Towns

Few traditions capture the spirit of a New England town like Old Home Days. Part homecoming, part community festival, it is the weekend when neighbors, families, and former residents all come back together to celebrate the place they call home. For the municipal and committee planners who organize it, Old Home Days is a labor of love and a logistical undertaking, and the right mix of attractions makes all the difference.

Here are Old Home Days event ideas for New England towns, covering parade ideas, community carnival lineups, kids’ zones, and stage entertainment, along with how Perfect Parties USA can help you bring it all together.

A Quick History of Old Home Days

Old Home Days began in New Hampshire in 1899, when Governor Frank Rollins invited people who had moved away from their hometowns to return for a summer celebration of community and belonging. The idea struck a chord and spread across New England, and today towns throughout the region carry on the tradition with an annual Old Home Day or Old Home Week. At its heart, the celebration is about reunion, local pride, and bringing the whole community together, which is exactly what a great lineup of attractions helps you do.

Parade Ideas

A parade is the centerpiece of most Old Home Days celebrations. Build yours around the town and the people coming home:

• Floats and contingents. Invite schools, civic groups, veterans, the fire department, and local businesses to join the procession.
• A trackless train. A trackless train is a parade favorite that can also carry families through the festival afterward.
• A nostalgic touch. Antique cars, a town history theme, and banners welcoming back former residents make the parade feel personal.

A well-planned parade sets the tone and gives the whole town a place to gather.

Community Carnival Lineups

The community carnival is where Old Home Days really comes alive. A strong lineup keeps every age entertained from afternoon into evening:

• Carnival game booths. A midway of carnival games with prizes is a classic, complete with a dunk tank and a test-of-strength high striker.
• Inflatables and rides. Big inflatables and a rock climbing wall draw crowds and keep lines moving.
• Concessions. A cotton candy serving window and a carnival treat shop bring the fair-food fun everyone expects.

Kids’ Zones

A dedicated kids’ zone gives families a safe, contained spot to play and gives parents a chance to relax:

• Bounce houses and smaller inflatables. Right-sized inflatables keep little ones busy and burn off energy.
• Face painting and photos. Airbrush face painting and fun photo ops are always a hit.
• Easy carnival games. Simple, low-key games and prizes are perfect for the youngest guests.

Stage Entertainment

A stage anchors the celebration and gives the community a place to gather for the day’s highlights:

• Live performances. Book local bands, dancers, and variety performers like magicians and balloon artists to keep the stage lively.
• A game show. A Survey Says game show is an interactive way to pull a crowd together.
• The setup. A proper stage and a clear sound system make every act look and sound its best.

Perfect Parties USA: Your New England Old Home Days Partner

Perfect Parties USA has long been a go-to partner for New England town celebrations, and Old Home Days is exactly what we do best. With more than 300 attractions in-house and full carnival rental capability, we can outfit your entire event, from parade rides and carnival games to inflatables, concessions, performers, and stage gear, all on a single quote and one contract. We deliver, set up, staff, and tear down across Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Vermont, and our crews are NAARSO-certified, so your committee has one experienced team to rely on. Reach out and we will help you build a celebration your town will remember.

Ready to get this party started? Contact Perfect Parties USA to talk to one of our Party Pros! Request a Quote

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Old Home Days?
Old Home Days is a New England tradition that began in New Hampshire in 1899, when Governor Frank Rollins invited former residents back to their hometowns for a summer celebration. Today many towns across the region hold an annual Old Home Day or Old Home Week with a parade, a community carnival, and entertainment. At its heart it is about reunion, local pride, and community.

What are good Old Home Days event ideas?
Good Old Home Days event ideas include a community parade, a carnival with game booths and inflatables, a dedicated kids’ zone, concessions, and stage entertainment with live performances and a game show. The best celebrations offer something for every age. Perfect Parties USA can help a town outfit the entire event.

What goes in an Old Home Days parade?
An Old Home Days parade typically includes floats, schools, civic groups, veterans, the fire department, antique cars, and a trackless train, often with a town history theme and banners welcoming former residents home. It is the celebration’s centerpiece and a place for the whole town to gather. Perfect Parties USA can provide parade rides and decor.

What should a community carnival for Old Home Days include?
A community carnival for Old Home Days should include a midway of carnival game booths with prizes, a dunk tank, a high striker, big inflatables, a rock climbing wall, and concessions like cotton candy. High-throughput attractions keep crowds of all ages moving. Perfect Parties USA offers full carnival rental capability to outfit the whole midway.

What activities are good for kids at Old Home Days?
Great kids’ activities for Old Home Days include bounce houses and smaller inflatables, face painting, photo ops, and easy carnival games with prizes. A dedicated kids’ zone gives families a safe, contained area to enjoy. Perfect Parties USA can set up an age-appropriate lineup for younger guests.

What entertainment works for an Old Home Days celebration?
Good entertainment for Old Home Days includes local bands, dancers, variety performers like magicians and balloon artists, and an interactive game show, all anchored by a stage and a quality sound system. It gives the community a focal point for the day. Perfect Parties USA can provide performers and the stage setup.

Can Perfect Parties USA help with Old Home Days events in New England?
Yes. Perfect Parties USA is a longtime New England partner for town celebrations, with more than 300 attractions in-house and full carnival rental capability. The team delivers, sets up, staffs, and tears down across Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Reach out for a custom quote to outfit your Old Home Days celebration.