CHARLTON, Mass. - Dozens of Charlton residents gathered on the town common on Sunday to celebrate Old Home Day. It's an annual tradition dating back to 1897.

The event began as a gathering between the citizens of Charlton at the end of summer before the beginning of the fall harvest, and slowly evolved into a tradition meant to give residents a sense of community.

“What this does, is it brings us all out and shows support for the community and local businesses,” said Harmon Hirtz of the Old Home Day Committee. “That’s one of the big things we really focus on, and we focus on the community itself, the school kids… Get funding for some of the kids for the music programs we have in town.”

Activities vary from year to year, but this year featured a soap box derby, a road race and a parade.

The town of Charlton also presents awards at Old Home Day for community service, local businesses, cherished residents who recently passed away, and citizen of the year.

This marked the 128th annual Old Home Day. Events also included a frog jumping contest and a kid's fun run.