Last weekend, Casco celebrated its 73rd annual Casco Days, a three-day festival of summer fun that has become an anticipated tradition for residents of Casco.

This year, Casco Days kicked off with fireworks on Thursday evening, followed by Friday night events like the chicken barbecue and children’s parade.

A full day of festivities was held Saturday, starting with a pancake breakfast to benefit Project Graduation 2008. The highlight of the day was the Grand Parade, with crowds of people lined up and down route 121 in Casco Village. Rick Charette and the Bubble Gum Band put on a children’s concert at night, giving kids a special thrill. Also, a grand prize drawing was held at the close of events on Saturday night, and the winner, Lisa Annance of Otisfield, received an L.L. Bean kayak.

Karla Murphy, co-chair of the Casco Days Committee, called this year’s events “status quo,” with festivities that were all old favorites.

“We have a formula that works well for us,” said Murphy.

Murphy said this was the second-best year they have had, since the first Casco Days 73 years ago. Murphy said that they generated between $15,000 and $20,000 in revenue, which will benefit town projects, and particularly the Casco Fire Association, Casco Days’ main sponsor.

Though the weather was hot and humid, Murphy said it was pleasant enough to draw a large crowd. It rained once, on Saturday afternoon, but that helped cool the evening off.

“The rain on Saturday was a mixed blessing,” said Murphy.