FERRISBURGH — Residents of Ferrisburgh are invited to gather on Robinson Road this Saturday afternoon for what town officials hope will continue to grow into an annual fixture on the town’s social calendar — Ferrisburgh Day.
Organizers have arranged for music, kids and adult games (horseshoes and quoits), hamburgers and hot dogs, and a contest in which “celebrity judges” evaluate residents’ pies and potluck offerings. All of the events will occur at Charlie Shapiro’s barn on Robinson Road between 3 and 7 p.m.
Ferrisburgh Historical Society members revived the tradition of an annual community gathering in 2010, and they ran the event for a couple of years. Recent Ferrisburgh Days included more than one venue and cooperation from the town’s museums.
This spring, the historical society told the selectboard they would like to see what through the 1970s was called “Good Neighbor Day” in Ferrisburgh continue, but that it was too much for its membership to organize.
The selectboard agreed to assume responsibility, and Town Clerk Gloria Warden, Treasurer Garrit Smits and volunteers took charge of what they changed to one centrally located event — and one that Smits said is still intended to allow residents to get to know one another better and to create a sense of community in the town.
The full Ferrisburgh Day program includes:
•  3 p.m.: Free digital fingerprinting offered by Shelburne Police Department volunteers.
•  3:30 p.m.: Potluck and pie judging.
•  3:30-4 p.m.: Music by the Vermont Ukulele Society.
•  4-6 p.m.: Horse-drawn wagon rides.
•  4-6 p.m.: Food served.
•  4:30-5 p.m.: Fiddle and accordion music from Erik and Erica Andrus.
•  5 p.m.: According music from Bucky Douglas.
•  6 p.m.: Winners and prize announcements.
D.J. Bill Clark will serve as master of ceremonies throughout the afternoon, and games for all ages will be available throughout the event.
Robinson Road is on the east side of Route 7, just north of Rokeby Museum and across from Greenbush Road. The barn may be found at the first driveway on the right after bearing left at the first intersection on Robinson Road. Smits said there would be signs on Route 7, at the intersection, and at the driveway.
Smits said local houseguests would be welcome, but unless the event grows in scope in the future Ferrisburgh Day is intended as a community event.
“It’s meant to be for everybody who is a resident for Ferrisburgh,” he said.
Andy Kirkaldy may be reached at [email protected].