After receiving a proclamation Tuesday from Topsham, England, the town of Topsham will continue celebration of the 250th anniversary of its first town meeting with several special events this weekend, featuring balloon rides, a barn dance, a 5K and more.

The Sestercentennial for Topsham started off with a big bang back on New Year’s Eve, along with several smaller events through the year. As Columbus Day weekend approaches, the focus now is on fun, families and music, while honoring some of the traditions of days gone by.

ReMax Riverside presents tethered hot air balloon rides at the Foreside Recreational Facility which run Friday from 4:30-6:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8-10 a.m. Rides are $5 per person and “first come, first ride.”

An old fashioned barn dance will take place in the new barn at the Topsham Fairgrounds Friday from 6:30- 10 p.m. There will be square dancing 6:30-7:30 p.m. featuring George Krassner and live entertainment from the band Puddn’head from 8-10 p.m.

Saturday morning is the Birthday Bash Fun Run and 5K at 9 a.m., which starts and ends at the Foreside Recreation Facility. Day of race registration is 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. Saturday and costs $25 for adults and $20 for 17 and under. The first 100 registrants will receive a race day T-shirt. Forms can be downloaded by clicking on the 250th celebration link at www.topshammaine.com, and mailed with payments made out to Run In A Race, P.O. Box 144, Freeport, ME 04032. Online registration (www.runinarace.com/Topsham250) ends Friday. Proceeds go to the MidCoast Hunger Prevention Program and Topsham Heating Assistance Fund.

On Saturday at p.m., Richard Snow will lead a walking tour of the historic Riverview Cemetery on Elm Street. The tour will give participants a 250-year history of Topsham, one head stone at a time. This event is free.

The weekend celebration concludes Sunday with tours of and entertainment at the Frost Mansion at 7 Academy Lane on The Highlands’ campus. Doors open at the mansion at 1:30 p.m., followed by a performance at 2 p.m. by pop and rock singer and songwriter Alex Lear. Intermission is at 2:30 p.m. followed by fiddler extraordinaire Frank Ferrel at 3 p.m.

Light refreshments will be served and tours provided of the 1806 mansion during intermission. Seating is limited to 70 people and tickets cost $5, on sale in the parks and recreation office at the Topsham municipal building, located at 100 Main St.

For the celebrations’ Steering Committee co-chairman Steve Edmondson, who can trace his Midcoast family roots back to before Topsham’s 1st anniversary, it’s been well worth the wait.

“To be witness and participate in this celebration is hugely satisfying,” Edmondson said.

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