Food and family fun is the theme for Woolwich Day to be held from 9 to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, on the grounds at the town office on Nequasset Road.

The popular event begins the evening before, Friday, Aug. 4, with a chicken barbecue diner at Woolwich Central School from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The Recreation Committee is hosting the dinner; tickets are $8 per person or $25 for a family and are available at the door.

Selectman Jason Shaw said Saturday’s events would go on rain or shine. “Selectman Allen Greene and I will be manning the grill cooking hot dogs and hamburgers and there’ll be ice cream, soft drinks and lots of activities for the kids.”

One event that won’t be back this year is the Bob Meade 10 K Road Race and Family Fun Run. “The Events Committee decided to call off the road race partly due to a lack of interest and because of safety concerns,” explained Shaw. “The biggest concern was providing traffic control to ensure the safety of the runners. We tried but couldn’t find a race location we were really comfortable with.”

Shaw said there would be lots of activities for kids including the popular bounce house and the return of the challenging climbing wall. Kids can also handle a real working fire hose under the supervision of Woolwich junior firefighters. New this year will be family-oriented relay races and games of skill. There’s also Hennin’s homemade ice cream, Shaw’s fresh-squeezed lemonade and free cotton candy for the kids courtesy of Roger Baffer. Shaw said crafters are invited to sell arts, crafts and baked goods and can contact the town office for more information. A silent auction is on tap and prizes will be raffled every half hour.

The Woolwich Historical Society will open the doors of its 19th century farmhouse museum and barn, offering free admission. Visitors can see Native American artifacts, a 19th century kitchen, handmade quilts, spinning wheels, antique farm tools and more. The society’s annual book sale will be on the lawn behind the museum. The Rev. Dr. Alan Baughcum of Day’s Ferry Congregational Church will  be conducting the traditional “Blessing of the Animals” service  at 10 a.m. on the lawn of the Nequasset Meeting House. A collection of vintage cars and trucks will return, too, parked on the lawn outside the Meeting House.

“Lynette Eastman, our former town administrator, and her husband George will return as  the master of ceremonies for the day and provide recorded music,” Shaw said.

There’s no admission charge and you don’t have to be a Woolwich resident to attend. “Come one, come all and bring the kids too!” added Shaw.