host its annual Pierpole Day Festival with a parade, chicken BBQ, lobster and steak dinners, and live band Friday, June 25.

David Kidd IV, of West Freeman, dressed as young Pierpole, participates in the annual Pierpole Day Festival parade and celebration in Strong last year. This year’s event is slated for Friday, June 25. (Irregular file photo) The Strong Fire Department’s popular $5-chicken barbecue dinner, with side dishes, beverage, and strawberry shortcake for dessert, starts at 4 p.m. in front of Beal’s Store. “We’ll keep serving dinners until 6 p.m.,” Fire Chief Duayne Boyd said. “We sell out pretty quickly, so get there early,” he urged.

Karen Thorndike, owner of the White Elephant store and restaurant will, put on a steak and lobster dinner from 5 to 8 p. m.

“You can have just steak, just lobster, or both,” she said. “We’ll have a band playing some great rock and roll, so it’ll be a fun evening.”

The annual Friday event is a celebration of Strong’s heritage and its Abenaki settlers. According town history, Pierpole and his wife, Hannah Sussup, were two of the early residents of Strong, known as Middletown in the 1700s.

The parade will feature Franklin County’s part in the Civil War in a battle that changed history. The Alabama 15th Regiment’s Co. G, will march down Main Street and stop at the town’s war monument to offer a musket salute to veterans of all conflicts. Many re-enactment members are from Maine, but some come each year from as far away as Louisiana.

“The Civil War balance changed when the 20th Maine Regiment, led by Colonel Joshua Chamberlain, defeated the 15th Alabama Regiment at Gettysburg on July 2, 1863,” local historian Joseph O’Donnell said. “Several families from Avon, Phillips and Strong were part of that battle under Chamberlain’s command.”

The parade will begin 6 p.m. at the north end of Main Street; line-up will start at 5. The judges’ choice for the three best floats will be awarded at the Forster Building. The parade, with a “Back To Basics” theme, will offer prizes for float winners.

The march down Main Street includes the Old Crow Band, the Shriners’ mini-car contingent, the American Legion color guard, and bagpipes.

The Strong Elementary School will have a craft and bake sale, and the Strong Public Library will hold its annual book sale, also.

Call 684-3198 or 684-2234 for more information.