DEERFIELD — Dating back to its origins in 1909, when an article appropriating $100 to help form an Old Home Week Committee failed to pass town legislation, Old Home Day has deep roots in Deerfield.
A few years after the legislation failed, an Old Home Day event was celebrated in 1912.
In a document about the origins of the event, Al Peckham records the words of Ruth Hollis, who said, “It was a beautiful summer day, with the Town Flag flying on the Common and the Soldiers’ Monument in the Square decorated with flags and flowers.”
More than 100 years later, the same spirit of community reigned during the day’s events Saturday. A book sale, dog show, dog parade were part of the festivities.
Through the years the event has taken on special significance. According to Peckham’s account, on Sept. 2, 1946, the event was held as a welcome home ceremony for returning World War II veterans. Another celebration of Old Home Day worth noting was in 1974, when Alfred Worden, an astronaut on the Apollo 15 flight, attended the event.