CASCO — Long known for its unique festival in quaint Casco Village, Casco Days offers affordable family fun alluring locals, summer residents and vacationers alike. A truly unique event run entirely by the support of sponsors and hundreds of volunteers, Casco Days offers free admission, parking, fireworks, parades, concerts and more. Casco Days has long been a tradition for many families and friends, with folks who look forward to their reunions at the annual event.

This year, the event will run from Thursday, July 23, to Saturday, July 25.

The Casco Fire Association to will kick off the 81st Casco Days Thursday night with the Midway opening at 6 p.m. The aromas from the famous food booth attract the early arrivals lining up for the first batch of home-made burgers, delicious french fries, onion rings, sausages, fried dough, the best fresh-squeezed lemonade and many other treats! Coin toss games, flashy stuffed animal prizes, Beano games, merry-go-round, Ferris wheel and fire truck rides attract people of all ages – there are even a few games of chance for those feeling lucky (and of age, of course!). Rounding out the first night of Casco Days is the spectacular fireworks show at 9:30 on Thursday night. 2015 will also bring some new surprises that you’ll have to come by to see for yourself!

Continuing the weekend’s festivities, Friday night hosts the chicken barbecue at 5 p.m. followed by the Midway opening for games, rides and food at 6 p.m. Kids can enter the Children’s Parade to show off their best costumes and floats as they walk or ride the half mile parade from the Village green to Casco Days Park at 7 p.m. Friday night. Line up for that event at the Community Center at 6:30 to enter your kiddos! Don’t miss the nightly entertainment in the Midway gazebo.

The third and final day of the annual event starts at 8 a.m. Saturday, July 25, with the pancake breakfast fundraiser for project graduation. Hundreds of runners will race to the finish line of the four-mile road race at 9:30 a.m. with day-of registration available for $23. The Midway will open at 10 a.m. Later in the day, area businesses will line up to enter their float or march in the Grand Parade at 1 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by Kora bands, clowns, area campers, local businesses and more.

Rick Charette and the Bubble Gum band will perform Saturday night at 7 p.m. for a free concert, drawing families from around the state to sing and dance with one of Maine’s favorite singer/songwriters, well-known for his catchy songs like “I Love Mud”, “Alligator in the Elevator” and “Bubble Gum.”

Visitors may enter for a chance at winning the grand prizes in the bonus prize booth — 10-pack ski tickets to Mt. Abram, overnight stays at area resorts, and more. Drawings are every hour of Casco Days, $1.00 per ticket or 6 for $5.00.

The Casco High School Alumni Association held the first Casco Days event in 1935, earning a grand total of $347.04 divided between several area organizations. Casco is the only area town that has successfully and continuously staged this type of festival. All the proceeds benefit the Casco Fire Association and the association owns all of its games and rides.

FMI: www.cascodays.com, https://www.facebook.com/CascoDays.