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 The event held at the Community Center began early with the
Fireman's Breakfast beginning at 7 a.m. and provided a day a family
fun. The rain did not appear to dampen anyone's spirits as many from
the community showed up for the costume parade, kiddie tractor
pulls, games, face painting, NH-M School Band performance, vendor
sales, Bingo, Ladies' Auxiliary lunch, and a quarter auction.
Around six years ago, the festival replaced the homecoming the town
used to have each year. The village of New Holland raises funds for
next year's family fun weekend.
Long-time New Holland resident, Karen Davison, said the school
support group of District 88 sponsors the children's games. Past
funds were used to buy laptops for all the children at the school.
Now, they are working to raise money for new playground equipment at
the Community Center. The new equipment will make the playground ADA
compliant.
 Davison said the group is working to provide healthier alternatives
than candy when they give out prizes. She said the superintendent,
Todd Dugan, also gives non-food rewards at school assemblies.
The Kiddie Tractor Pull had three "weight" groups: lightweight,
medium, and heavyweight. Each group used a John Deere pedal tractor
to pull a small trailer loaded with weights.
All the contestants went just by their first names. In the
lightweight class, Myles got first place, followed by Justice in
second place, and Lucas in third. In the medium weight class,
Kendall got first place, followed by Shay in second place. In the
heavyweight class, Miranda received first place, followed by Jace in
second place, and Lucas in third place. Miranda said she was
defending the first place title she has held for a couple years.
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The New Holland-Middletown School sixth through
eighth grade band also performed four pieces including "School
Spirit," "Canon," "Carnival," and "March." Superintendent Dugan
said it is good to see interest in the band. He said that in the
past four years, the band has built up from a flute player and
two drummers. Now they have a sixteen member band with students
playing flutes, clarinets, trumpets, trombones, baritones, and
drums.
Davison said, "we love our community. Looking around, I see
about 75 people here who have gone to school in the district.
New Holland-Middletown is like a family." She said when the
Target Corporation had a promotion where the school could
receive funds for a certain amount of votes online, the school
raised $150. Davison said there is a lot of connectedness in the
community.
With activities for all ages, this annual event is not only
fun-filled, but a great chance to support the community.
[Angela Reiners]
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