The time is upon us to kick up our heels a bit and celebrate a century of business in downtown Biddeford. In the days leading up to our week of festivities, which have been in the works for some time now, the excitement is mounting.

Starting Tuesday, Reilly’s Bakery will be hosting a myriad of events as a thank-you to our faithful customers and employees. Many of them are not only life-long fans but also have stories of their grandparents supporting our business “way back in the day.” The sitting area of our shop holds frames of photos taken decades long past of a Main Street now virtually unrecognizable from 100 years of growth, industrialization and changes to the very dynamics of downtown.

Along with the building anticipation of shaking up our normal routine, a great sense of a lifetime achievement is settling in all of us Reillys. One hundreds years of slinging dough is no easy feat, and four generations of family contributing to the longevity and success of the business is mind-blowing. Without the help of each and every one of the relatives, both immediate and distant, we wouldn’t still be thriving as we are today.

I distinctly remember my father saying, decades ago now, that his goal was to make it through until we reach 100 years of business. Now that enormous milestone is upon us I’m thrilled to watch him bask in the glory of that achievement when so many doubted it possible.

Nicely done, old man.

That being said, back to the festivities. To kick things off, we’re having a selection of our products available for one dollar on Tuesday . Get it? A hundred pennies?

Also, on Tuesday evening we will re-open from 6-8 p.m. to continue the sale. There, we will be accompanied by the sound of bagpipes played live in honor of our Irish heritage.

After all, we’re kind-of about family history.

Wednesday night we will again re-open at 6 p.m. to host a special trivia night. Winners of that game will receive a $50 Reilly’s gift certificate.

Thursday night is all about our employees, both past and present. From 6-8 p.m. we will welcome anyone who’s ever worked with us (along with their families) to come by and say hello. Refreshments will be provided.

Personally, I can’t wait for Friday night. My brother and I will be hosting our first-ever doughnut-eating contest. We will have pans and pans of them freshly made and ready for the ambitious souls who will compete for the title, starting at 6 p.m. sharp.

The last person standing will receive a $50 gift certificate and their picture will be hung on our wall as the first-ever champion.

Then, last but certainly not least, on Saturday from 1-4 p.m. we will have the honor of hosting the bagpipe and drum band named Claddagh Mhor. Based here in Maine, the non-profit band will be filling the air with live Irish music.

I look forward to celebrating our achievement with our friends, family and devoted clientele.

For more information on the week of events, call the bakery at 283-3731. For more information on Claddagh Mhor, including some audio files, go to the website, www.claddaghmhor.com.

”“ Elizabeth Reilly can be reached at elizabethreilly1@yahoo.com.