Rain forced postponement of Candia Old Home Day, so organizers are hoping for better weather Oct. 16. The day will offer pie-eating, a magic show, a parade and a skateboard demonstration, but it is the opportunity for community members to mingle that will draw large crowds, said Rhonda Thyng, chairman of the Old Home Day Committee.

"I think Old Home Day is the one event that pulls all aspects of the community together," she said. "It has been a huge success in recent years. I think people would really miss it if it went away."

The theme of this year's Old Home Day is "Hometown Heroes." On Sunday, Oct. 16, the events will begin at 10 a.m. at Moore School with inflatables for area children, which will fit in with the day's theme.

A parade on High Street will begin at 11 a.m. The parade will be followed by performances from magician Steve Thomas at 11:30 a.m., the New Hampshire Academie of Dance at 12:45 p.m., then the pie-eating contest at 1:45 p.m. all at Moore Park.

At 2:15 p.m., residents will be given a skateboard and BMX bike demonstration. Jordan Davis, a local skater who is helping rejuvenate the Candia skate park, will take part in the event to raise money for the project.

Food vendors and family activities will begin at Moore School around 6 p.m., and fireworks, sponsored by Severino Trucking Co., Inc., will begin at dusk. This year, the town will set off $3,000 worth of fireworks, said Thyng.

Old Home Day will provide a variety of foods, including hot dogs, chips and caramel apples, which will be provided by the Candia Woman's Club. The Candia Historical Society will serve pie and ice cream.

The Masons supper and firemen's breakfast already took place and will not be repeated. "We're just hoping for a nice fall day and people come out to support the vendors and everyone who has rearranged their schedules to be here for the day," said Thyng.