OLD HOME WEEK: AN OVERVIEW ........ Pages

OLD HOME WEEK 2022 | 5 Old Home Week: An Overview By Shawn Hardy

Greencastle-Antrim’s 41st Triennial Old Home Week celebration is being held Saturday, Aug. 6, to Saturday, Aug. 13.

Nearly 50 committees of the Old Home Week Association, under the leadership of President Bonnie Shockey, worked for nearly a year to fill the week with activities for all ages.

Storefronts, curbs and crosswalks have seen fresh coats of paint and gardeners spruced up their flower beds to make sure everything looks its best.

Old Home Week was founded as a reunion and it continues to bring back former local residents from across the country and even abroad. However, many of those “coming home” live in the Greencastle area all year long.

Old Home Week started as the Old Boys’ Reunion in August 1902, initiated by concert singer Philip Baer, who had been warmly welcomed by former Greencastle residents as he traveled the country during his career. Sixty-five “old boys” enjoyed a chicken dinner, picnic along the Conococheague Creek, a minstrel show and band concerts, according to “A Safe Kept Memory: The Old Home Week Story” prepared for the 29th Triennial in 1986.

The first Old Boys’ Reunion was also the last as their wives noticed the “enthusiasm for the fellowship and entertainment” their husbands enjoyed and wanted to be included, too. In 1905, Old Home Week was born and the tradition has continued every three years since then, enjoyed by men and women and girls and boys alike. Some of the events of those early days are still held today, including a parade, concerts and fireworks.

Badges and programs were sold for the first time in 1923. A badge was all that was needed for admission to Old Home Week events then and is all that is needed for admission to Old Home Week events today. The price in 1923 was 10 cents and today it is $6.

A different local landmark is depicted on the badge every three years. The badge for the 41st celebration features a sketch of Allison’s Tavern as it may have appeared when John Allison laid out the town of Greencastle 240 years ago in 1782.

The official Old Home Week opening ceremony will be held from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 6, on Center Square. Children younger than 16 are invited to help President Bonnie Shockey cut the ribbon.

The unofficial opening beginning at 11 p.m. Sunday on Center Square is when a lot of people feel like Old Home Week officially begins. When the town clock strikes midnight, Vernon McCauley will say “Happy Old Home Week, everybody!” before the crowd breaks into the song “The Old Grey Mare.”

When it comes to crowds, the official Old Home Week picture taken at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday on Center Square features about 2,000 faces. The crew from Central Photo Company from Washington, D.C., has been taking the gigantic photos for so long

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This is the classic photo taken at the 1902 Old Boys’ Reunion, which became Old Home Week in 1905. PROVIDED they are practically part of the community.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words and the photos taken on Center Square truly tell a story about Old Home Week. Photos from celebrations past are displayed in OHW Headquarters in the old Conn Building on the northwest corner of the square.

The Old Home Week parade is another huge draw, stepping off at 6 p.m. Thursday. The route goes down Washington Street to Franklin Street to Carlisle Street to Walter Avenue to Allison Street.

Old Home Week seems like it just “happens” every year, but there is a lot of behind-thescenes work by committees as members ensure everyone has a good time, whether their interests are in history, music, sports or just learning about the town.

At all hours of the day and night, people will be seen strolling downtown and peering into decorated windows that give

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them a peek into the past with the categories History, Our Community, Our Heroes, Toys and Games, Collectibles and Clothing and Household Items.

There will be daily open houses at Allison-Antrim Museum on South Ridge Avenue. Philip Baer’s grand piano can be found in the museum house and displays include the late Katty Grosh’s collection of OHW ribbons and programs.

“Reminiscing” lives up to its name Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday with local folks sharing their memories, including 1980s Greencastle-Antrim High School cross country team members and Coach Greg Hoover; people who grew up in Shady Grove; and, joining their professions with history lessons, Kermit Hicks on car dealerships, Frank Ervin on Carl’s Drug Store and Nancy and Garon Gembe on “Morrison Press & Other North Carlisle Street Businesses.”

Days gone by also will be remembered in the pageant “Yesterday, When We Were Young” being staged Tuesday and Wednesday evenings in the high school auditorium.

The Loyal Daughters will salute teachers on Tuesday with the program “Teach, Love, Inspire.” All women and girls are invited to join the organization, founded in 1920, for just $5 and dues go toward community improvements.

Also on Tuesday, “Roots of Tayamentasachta: Exploring the History of the School Farm” is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at

Driving through Martin’s Mill Covered Bridge, usually closed to traffic, is a popular activity on the first day of Old Home Week. SHAWN HARDY

Welcome Back for Old Home Week

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the Greencastle-Antrim School District environmental center. Blue Devil Scholars, members of the Greencastle-Antrim High School chapter of the national social studies honor society Rho Kappa, will be on site to share old letters, photos and other memorabilia they’ve curated.

Anyone who enjoys history, driving or just a unique experience can take a drive-through of the historic Martin’s Mill Covered Bridge, normally closed to traffi c, on Saturday, Aug. 6.

Vehicle-related Old Home Week events include a motorcycle show on Saturday, Aug. 6, an antique car show Sunday and an antique tractor and farm equipment display on Thursday. Wheels of a different kind will be in motion Wednesday afternoon at the James P. Oliver Memorial Bike Races. Also on tap Wednesday afternoon is the Old Boys’ baseball game at Jerome R. King Playground. Athletes can sign up for the Fred Kaley Memorial 5K (as well as a 1-mile kids’ race) on Saturday, Aug. 6, or 3 on 3 basketball at the high school on Friday. Competition also includes a cornhole tournament on Sunday.

Local residents will try their hands at fl ower arranging with their entries in the fl ower show “Back In Bloom” on Monday and Tuesday. Four-legged friends get into the act on Thursday at the Fun Dog Show on the grounds of Greencastle-Antrim Elementary School.

Monday’s town and township tour will visit Cedar Hill Cemetery, Station 101 (The Dapper House Barbershop, Belle’s Kitchen, Hidden Key Brewing Co.), Greencastle Rescue Hose Co., Premier HVAC Services and Premier Kitchens and Baths. Participants in Wednesday’s walking tours will visit the High Line Train Station.

The younger set will enjoy a bunch of activities, as well as food, during Friday’s Fun Fair at Jerome R. King Playground.

Music fi gured prominently into the fi rst Old Home Week and it continues to be an important part of the triennial celebration. Community members will lift their voices at “Jesus, He Is Worthy,” a musical community worship event at 4 and 6:45 p.m. Sunday in the high school auditorium. It will feature a choir, full orchestra, readings and creative and visual arts.

The Greencastle-Antrim Christian Women’s Fellowship will host a “Morning of Music” on Friday.

Every evening features Music on the Square and Concert in the Park, with Greencastle-Antrim and other regional performers offering selections from the blues to barbershop and swing to rock.

The United States Navy Band Cruisers will perform Friday evening at the Greencastle-Antrim School District Kaley Field prior to the fi reworks.

The Triennial festivities wind down with the offi cial closing on Center Square Saturday evening, Aug. 13, and one last good time with the party band New Censations.

The Fun Dog Show is enjoyed by participants and spectators alike. JOHN IRWIN