Every day, people are surrounded by spirit, commonly in the form of school spirit and even team spirit. Why limit it to just a school, or just an organization? Why not bring it to the entire town of Walpole? That is exactly what Walpole Day is trying to do.

On Saturday, May 21, the Walpole recreation department will be hosting the 4th annual tradition of Walpole Day on the field behind Blackburn Hall. At noon, the festivities will begin with a parade that will have marching bands, a grand marshal, and “designed” floats that will be competing for a prize of 300 dollars. A food court will be available, with foods from local caterers and restaurants. School and town groups will be there hosting fundraising activities-everything from food and raffles to karaoke and a dunk tank. There will even be entertainment in the form of music performed by a Teen Band Showcase, and more local groups.  To wrap up the spirit-rallying event, there will be a street dance and a barbecue.

Many are probably aware that Walpole Day is a big deal to provide entertainment and fun for the residents, but what many might not be aware of is the businesses’ part in the event. Businesses, and the booths that they set up, are very important to the special day. The first year of Walpole Day had 30 tables, and now, they have over 100, this year adding 30 more from last year. Countless businesses will be setting up their own booths, hosting activities and raffles and selling food. Unsurprisingly, several of these booths are set up by businesses well known around Walpole: Commonwealth Dance Academy with face painting, Leo’s Pizzeria with food, Stop and Shop with stuffed animal and plant project, and many more. Some businesses have been involved for the long run-the Walpole Lion’s club will have their regular booth set up, selling fried dough. And even new businesses are jumping into the tradition, like the Raven’s Nest, a restaurant in Walpole center that was established last summer.

While Walpole Day is bringing success to the booths, it will simultaneously be working to put forth a day of fun, games, and competition for everyone who attends. The two main events for competition are the float contest and the Wacky Quacky Walpole Day Duck Race. For the float contest, floats will be judged based on votes of originality of structure and theme, and the winner will receive a priz eof $300.  Last year, Elm Street School won with their ‘Flamingo Flocking themed float,’ but according to Ms. Aicha Kelley, an organizer of the event, the swim team always does a great job with their float. The Wacky Quacky Walpole Day Duck Race is just what it says: a race of rubber ducks in Memorial Pond. The ducks cost $5, and all of them will have a number on it so that the duck buyers will know how their ducks are doing.  At 3:30 p.m, the ducks will be dropped in the pond, and whichever ducks crosses the finish line first will receive $1,000.

Town spirit might not be easy to come by, especially with all the events going on around us. But that’s why it’s even more important to have a day like Walpole Day, where you can rally the town together and have a good time. “The main purpose of the day if to bring all Walpolians together and to make our citizens aware and proud of all that in Walpole,” said Ms. Kelley. The 4th annual Walpole Day will be held on Saturday, May 21st, on the field behind Blackburn Hall, bringing together the town and the people into a day filled of competition, entertainment, and an overall good time.