A soap box derby, a visit from the Marquis de Lafayette, races, and so much more! That was our Walk 351 for the quiet town of Charlton.
A town steeped in history and community spirit, since 1897 Charlton has celebrated Old Home Day on Labor Day weekend, a cherished tradition that brings families and friends together for a day filled with activities, games, and festivities. This year, our family joined the fun to see what makes Charlton’s Old Home Day so special.
Kicking Off with the Soap Box Derby
We began our day at one of the event’s highlights—the Soap Box Derby. The creativity of the young racers was on full display, with their colorful, homemade cars zooming down the street. The energy of the cheering crowd added to the excitement.
The kids loved watching the races and our 6-year-old was inspired to build his own car someday. His favorite moment? Watching car #70 hilariously weave across the course due to its design and the kid trying to steer it.
On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!
The boys took part in the Kids' Fun Run around the town common. It was the perfect way for them to burn off some energy and join in the community spirit. This was the second time our oldest has taken part in this race, and the first for our younger son. There were a ton of kids of all ages out there giving it their best as they ran before the big five miler that would follow.
I had originally thought about taking part in the Old Home Day Road Race, a challenging five-mile course through Charlton’s hilly terrain. Unfortunately, I had already committed to another five-mile race the next day in Marlborough, and with some ongoing plantar fasciitis battles, I decided back-to-back five-mile races was probably not a good idea. Our 8-year-old wanted to run the Old Home Day Road Race, and while he's done great with 5K road races and ran a pair of 6K races this summer, we told him he’d have to wait another year or two before tackling such a big race. Instead, we cheered on Uncle Carleton and the Rapid Tortoises team, along with wheelchair racers from Team Hoyt and runners of all levels.
The Games Man & Boy Scouts
Trevor the Games Man entertained kids and adults alike with his humor and creativity. The kids said one of their favorite parts was the game where kids pretended to snip off Trevor’s beard, and he hilariously pretended to get mad when it “hit” his hand. Another highlight was the parachute game, where kids took turns being a cat chasing mice.
The Boy Scouts had set up a site by the ballfields, where people could try their hand at a kid-friendly form of archery and some faux fishing. These activities were a hit with our boys. At the fishing station, the little guy proudly cast his line far, though catching fish proved tricky. Big brother, however, caught three fish and declared it “awesome!”
Archery offered a different kind of challenge. Big brother worked hard and eventually got the hang of it. Little brother was excited to hit the target a couple of times and cheekily pointed out that he hit it when his brother didn’t!
Exploring Local Vendors & Food
The town common was buzzing with booths showcasing handmade crafts, local treats, and community organizations. It was a great opportunity to explore Charlton’s vibrant local culture. We wrapped up our adventure at Charlton House of Pizza & Seafood, where we grabbed a cheese pizza — a favorite of the boys.
A Historical Finale at Rider Tavern
A few days later, I extended our Walk 351 with a visit the historic Rider Tavern. On this afternoon a crowd was gathering to celebrate the 200th anniversary of General Lafayette’s 1824 visit to Charlton, including his stop to the tavern. At the time of his visit, the sit was known as Wilson's Coffee House, having only recently been acquired by a new owner. The coffee house didn't remain as such for long and was eventually sold back to a member of the Rider family and its name reverted to its original Rider Tavern, which it has been known as ever since. The re-enactment of the Revolutionary War hero's return brought history to life, with townspeople, troops, and Lafayette himself delivering speeches and recreating the scene from two centuries ago.
As the sign posted outside the Rider Tavern reads: "Lafayette's Tour. On Sept. 3, 1824, General Lafayette was welcomed here at Wilson's Coffee House where refreshments were served and local residents assembled."
For this history buff, it was a fascinating glimpse into the past.
Conclusion
Charlton’s Old Home Day offered a perfect blend of fun, history, and community. From the high-speed excitement of the Soap Box Derby to the historic charm of Rider Tavern, it was a day filled with family memories. Stay tuned for our next town visit as we continue our journey through Massachusetts! Don't forget to check out the YouTube video of our visit!
Have you visited Charlton’s Old Home Day or Rider Tavern? Share your experiences in the comments below!
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