WINDHAM — The crowd was a bit smaller than usual, but the fun was just as great at the annual Town Day festivities in Griffin Park on Saturday.

“I come every year,” said Tom Hitchcock, of Salem. “It's always a great time.”

Music, great food and friendly conversation make Griffin Park the place to be on Town Day, Hitchcock said. The weather made the afternoon even more enjoyable, he said.

After a cook-out and a performance by the Windham Community Band, State Rep. Mary Griffin (R) presented a proclamation from the governor thanking game host Mike Sorter for 30 years of service at the event.

Sorter, a former teacher, had a simple explanation for volunteering to lead the game for the last three decades.

“I love kids,” Sorter said.

The town has a lot of volunteer opportunities and he likes seeing everybody give a little bit back to the community, Sorter said.

The children's enthusiasm and the joy in their faces will keep Sorter coming back for as long as he's able, he said.

“The kids are having fun and that's all that counts,” he said.

Sorter got to work immediately after the presentation, lining up participants for the decorated bicycle parade.

Andrew Lyons, 4, and Noelle Lyons, 2, wore their patriotic best for a ride around the parade route in a red, white and blue wagon decorated by their older sister, Corinne. She took first place for her efforts.

Town Day is a yearly event for the family and Corinne starts planning her decorations early.

“This is a really great day,” said Charissa Lyons, Corinne's mother. “I think it's unique.”

The town does a great job of providing a family-oriented, non-commercial event each year, Lyons said.

Traditional field games, including sack races, water balloon tosses and pie-eating contests followed.

Izzy Abruzese, who will be seven in August, won the pie eating contest in her age group for the second year running.

A few children cooled off by launching bottle rockets at a display hosted by Mad Science.

Crowds reconvened at the high school later that evening for musical entertainment by the Hot Tamales at 7 p.m. and a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m.

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Julie Hanson may be reached at Jhanson@newstote.com.