LITCHFIELD – The skies were blue and the food was plentiful as hundreds of Rotarians from around the country came together in Litchfield yesterday to honor one of their four founding fathers, the late Hiram Elmer Shorey.

After a Portland service on Friday, Rotarians moved upstate Saturday for a memorial service at Plains Cemetery, followed by a day of festivities held at the Litchfield town hall and fairground.

Rotarian International President Glenn E. Estess unveiled a marker at the Shorey Family History Center and Library that commemorates Shorey and celebrates a century of humanitarian service by Rotary Clubs

“Rotary started with four men in 1905 and now touches 166 countries around the world,” said Estess, who came to the event from Birmingham, Ala.

“One of our corporate projects is the elimination of polio, which we adopted in 1986 when a 1,000 cases of polio were being reported daily. Through this last month, less than 400 cases have been reported worldwide,” he said.

Estess said he is proud that more than 2 billion children around the globe have been immunized against polio. “We made a promise to the children and we’re going to keep our word.”

After his remarks, Estess and his wife, Mary, and other distinguished guests were taken to the fairgrounds in a 1905 Victorian carriage pulled by two 1,800-pound Percheron horses. The Ashland Rotary Club provided the horses, Amish-built carriage and harnesses.

“Those four men had no idea of how they were going to impact us all,” Estess said. “The theme this year is to celebrate the Rotary’s past, and this carriage helps bring us back to those days.”

Daniel Mooers, the chairman of the Rotary Founders Recognition event, said the festivities pull the state’s Rotary Clubs together and allow them to share in a piece of history. “This day is to show that Maine is part of the Rotary heritage to this worldwide organization,” he said.

Bridgeton Lake Region President Linda Amesquita was overjoyed by the turnout and was pleased to meet the president of Rotary International. “Many Rotarians never get the opportunity to do these things. I think it’s a fantastic honor,” she said.

Clubs from around the state provided food in a carnival-like atmosphere, serving chicken, sausages, fried treats and beverages. Children played in inflatable amusement rides provided by Oak Hill’s Rotary Club, and boys and girls faced off in a tug-of-war.

Ed Futa of Honolulu, the general secretary of Rotary International and a 22-year Rotary veteran, said such events raise community awareness of the organization.

“Of course this celebrates the family and whatever strengthens the family strengthens the community,” Futa said.

“Hiram Shorey is one of the four founding fathers of the idea’ of Rotary and community service,” he said.

“Friendship, fellowship and helping each other makes better communities,” Futa said. “I think that is why we are celebrating; we are remembering Shorey and his contributions to who we are and what he has done for the children.”

The president of the Lewiston/Auburn Rotary Club, Jan Barrett, said she was excited about the event because it was unusual to have the president of Rotary International come to Maine and mingle with the locals.

“It’s also nice because we do a lot of work in the background,” she said. “It’s not often we get to mingle in an event like this. This was a huge celebration for Rotary.”