Casco celebrated the 90th year of Casco Days with thousands of residents attending the carnival that was held in the eponymous field last weekend.

From Thursday, July 24, to Saturday, July 26, attendees could enjoy carnival rides such as a Ferris wheel and merry-go-round, drink lemonade while eating fried dough, take pictures in the big red chair, and listen to the Bridgton Community Band playing big band classics, all while the voice of announcer Evan Hancock boomed over the loudspeakers.

According to volunteer Erin Plummer, Casco Days first took place in 1935 and has been held annually ever since. It has been disrupted only twice, due to World War II and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Plummer told Lakes Region Now there were no major plans for a big 90th anniversary, but rather just doubling down on their signature events, which included a fireworks show on Thursday night, children’s parade on Friday evening, the 46th annual road race on Saturday morning, and the grand parade on Saturday afternoon.

Although Plummer said Casco Days has a longstanding policy against outside vendors, there were a few affiliated non-commercial groups in attendance. Representing the Cumberland County Regional Communications Center were educators Kaleigh Russell and Kendra Mayberry, along with junior volunteer Cami. Russell told Lakes Region Now that they were part of a public education team, with the main goal of teaching kids what to do when they call 911.

Steven B. Sweetsir, conductor of the the Bridgton Community Band, which has provided musical accompaniment for the carnival for decades, spoke about the band’s concert series, which takes place in Bridgton every Wednesday night for the duration of July and August.

The Grand Parade consisted of several local organizations, ranging from summer camps to the Shriners, with themes like “under the sea” and “out of this world.” The grand marshal for the parade was Loon Echo Land Trust, which invited members of the town’s Safe Streets and Open Space committees to march with it in order to highlight their collaboration.

Sam Brown, a member of both committees, said, “Our message is about preserving open space in both land and in the water, and connecting it through safe streets that people can travel on comfortably.”

Both Plummer and Hancock, the latter of whom is the brother of event coordinator Geoff Hancock, praised the over 200 volunteers, including ride operators, security and financial staff, and the more than 170 people working at the midway to run the games. Plummer said that a good deal of year-round planning goes into the three-day event, along with a tremendous volunteer effort.

Plummer described the ethos of Casco Days as “just people smiling, having a good time. (It) brings everyone out.”