There were carnival rides at the Beverly/Waterford Homecoming this past weekend. In addition to the carnival rides, there was also live music entertainment from local musicians, tractor pulls, games of chance, bingo, food booths and a raffle for a tractor lawn mower. (Photo by Clara Noelle)

BEVERLY/WATERFORD — The American Legion 11th District, set up in Beverly and Waterford, put on their annual Beverly/Waterford Homecoming event over the weekend.

This three day event is a tradition going back around 80 years. According to Steve Wainwright, commander of the American Legion 11th District, Department of Ohio, and event coordinator, the event started to celebrate the homecoming of World War II soldiers. Since then the event has turned into a way for citizens of the community to get back in touch with each other.

” (It’s) a homecoming to get us old folks together and watch the grandchildren run around,” said Wainwright.

There were sources of entertainment for all ages at the event with an estimated attendance of 400-500 people a night, according to Wainwright. He said attendees had many options of entertainment. There was a different local band every night of the homecoming for live music entertainment, and children and adults alike were riding and playing the carnival attractions at the event. Wainwright said there were also “games of chance” and bingo available. In addition to those things, he said there was also a raffle for a tractor lawn mower and food booths.

Wainwright said that the food booths usually bring in the most profits at the homecoming and that the event usually makes $7,500 if there was no rain.

According to event coordinator Steve Wainwright, commander of the American Legion 11th District, Department of Ohio, the food booths are the main source of profit during the homecoming event. Wainwright said that they usually make an average of $7,500 from the event. (Photo by Clara Noelle)

There were also two nights of tractor pulls with the first night, Friday, being the kiddie tractor pull, and the second night, Saturday, saw the antique tractor pull. Wainwright said that they raised the prize winners could receive for the tractor pulls in an effort to pull in more participants for the event.

According to Wainwright, the American Legion had a lot of help from the Sons of the American Legion and Auxiliary.

“It’s a lot of work,” said Wainwright. “And it’s a big deal.”

There were sources of entertainment for all ages at the Beverly/Waterford Homecoming event. With an estimated attendance of 400-500 people a night, according to event coordinator Steve Wainwright, attendees had many options to find entertainment and enjoy the event. (Photo by Clara Noelle)

Two nights of a live tractor pulls took place at the Beverly/Waterford Homecoming. On Friday, there was a kiddie tractor pull, and on Saturday, there was an antique tractor pull. Steve Wainwright, event coordinator, says they raised the prize money for the tractor pulls in an effort to attract more participants. (Photo by Clara Noelle)