RUMFORD – A Wall of River Valley Civil War Veterans will be displayed at the Rumford Center Country Fair. It was researched by Len Greaney, a Civil War historian.

The wall lists 1,000 names of veterans from Andover, Byron, Canton, Carthage, Dixfield, Hanover, Mexico, Peru, Roxbury and Rumford. The display also the veterans’ service records; cemetery location, if known; casualty status; date of birth; and date of death.

There is no other such listing in the state of Maine and, since most listings only supply the veterans’ names, it may be the only such display in the entire nation, according to those organizing the display.

Veterans’ organizations, town historical societies and River Valley authors of family histories will find the wall an invaluable resource and are encouraged to bring a camera or writing supplies to the country fair to record information provided by the wall, say organizers.

Rain or shine

The Rumford Center Country Fair will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 31, rain or shine. The Route 2 section through Rumford Center will have police department oversight of traffic to accommodate a parade by people at the Civil War encampment group (Company A, 3rd Regiment).

This also will help people walking from the Lufkin School Museum grounds to the meetinghouse, Grange Hall and the children’s games area by the Civil War monument.

Throughout the day there will be crafters, demonstrators, a lawn sale, antique cars and fire engine, baked goods, hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy and ice cream, as well as the special play area for children.

After a ceremony by the Civil War group, mime Charlie Who and humorist David Kimball will make appearances.

Music will be supplied by a jazz band; Jim Roy and Jean Kasregis, a fiddler and keyboardist; Frank and the Dawgs, who play ’60s and ’70s pop music; and the Muddy Bottom Jammers.

This celebration has been designed by the Rumford and Mexico Historical Societies’ Education Committee as family entertainment to raise funds for scholarships. The day also is the 30th anniversary of the historic Lufkin School Museum at Rumford Center.

There is no admission, but donations for scholarships will be gratefully accepted.

Copy the Story Link