The 61st Old Home Week gets underway this weekend with a full slate of activity

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The summer festival to celebrate the province's First Town has finally arrived.

Old Home Week, 61 years old and still going strong, kicks off this weekend with some classic events.

But to get the festivities going a little early, Newnham and Slipp is sponsoring a first-ever flea market along the Woodstock boardwalk beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, July 25.

Swing by the downtown boardwalk to browse through a variety of items offered by numerous vendors. The day-long debut event is accompanied by face painting, woodcarving, barbecues, an antique car show and a dunking booth in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Carleton-York.

The 4-H Western District Achievement Day will lead Carleton County into the official opening of the eight-day gala, on Saturday, July 26.

The livestock ring will feature displays from the four Western District 4-H groups. Displays will be of a various nature, like sewing, cooking, photography, wood working and "many, many more," said organizer Nancy Guthrie.

There will also be a livestock display on Saturday.

"All types of livestock will be shown by the kids of our (4-H) groups," said Guthrie.

The Joe McGuire race will also take off Saturday morning. The annual race will start at 10 a.m. at the Woodstock fire hall. Participants will make their way into Grafton and finish at the former Grafton Irving site.

Organizer Erica Hull said people may pre-register for the event this year at the Carleton Civic Centre. Or, as usual, people may register the day of the race at 8 a.m., also at the civic centre.

Hull said last year 140 people ran in the race. She expects this year to bring out just as many.

"I think it will go really well this year," said Hull.

A new 14-and-under category has been added to the race this year, she said.

On Sunday, July 27, Old Home Week will get colourful with the street parade at 2 p.m.

Organizer Terry Thomas said the parade will keep with the festival's theme this year, the Year of the Potato, by sporting a slew of potato-pride floats.

Thomas expects between 70 and 80 entries to careen through town. That includes a couple of marching bands, and feature band the Spuds of DixieLand of Moncton.

The parade will start at the corner of Deakin Drive and Main Street, and make its way down to the community college.

A free hot dog barbecue will follow the parade at St. Gertrude's Catholic Church.

The first bout of live entertainment will liven up the festival on Sunday evening as the fifth-annual Gospel Concert takes an outdoor stage on the fairgrounds at 6 p.m.

The show will feature local group Side Effects, with special guest Jack McAffee.

There is no charge for the concert, however, a free-will donation plate will be circulated during the intermission to raise money for the Carleton County Habitat for Humanity project.

The first half of the Miss New Brunswick Pageant 2008 is slated for Monday, July 28, at 7:30 p.m.

Fourteen young ladies from across the province will gather at the Carleton Civic Centre to display their skill and aptitude during the Talent Show portion of the two-day event.

The true festival-feel arrives to Old Home Week on Tuesday, July 29, as Campbell Amusement's Midway opens its gates at 6 p.m. at the fairgrounds.

Two new rides – one for toddlers and one for teens and older – will add to the always stellar carnival offering. Tuesday night is Loonie Night on the fairgrounds, as all rides only cost one dollar.

The Hobby Show and Commercial Exhibits will also be set up at the fairgrounds on Tuesday evening at 5 p.m. Various trades and hobbies will be put on display, and numerous community groups and businesses will showcase themselves for interested individuals.

In the afternoon, the Carleton Holstein Dairy Show will showcase the county's finest livestock in the livestock ring starting at noon.

The Carleton Civic Centre will no doubt be jam-packed Tuesday evening for the main event of the Miss New Brunswick Pageant 2008. Beginning at 7:30 p.m., the fourteen contestants will once again take the stage and vie for the Miss New Brunswick title and crown.

For a schedule of the full week of activities offered at this year's Old Home Week celebration, visit www.oldhomeweek.ca.