MEXICO – The original 1805 Oxford County charter will come through town May 24, delivered by a dozen horseback riders as part of the county’s bicentennial.
Louise Arsenault, chairwoman of Mexico’s committee for the bicentennial, said equestrians from the Ellis River Riders in Andover plan to bring the historic document.
Jeff Shock, a member of the Andover horse club, will lead the group and carry the charter to the Mexico Recreation Park on Route 17.
“Every day, this event gets bigger and bigger,” said Arsenault, who with a small group of volunteers has been planning events to mark Mexico’s turn to get the charter.
She said Shock, a West Paris resident, will bring the charter from the Oxford County Courthouse in Paris to Andover Elementary School on May 23. Then, on May 24, he and the other riders will trot from Andover, through Rumford, then across the so-called Red Bridge that connects Rumford and Mexico, then up Route 17.
When there, fourth- and fifth-graders from Rumford and Virginia elementary schools, St. Athanasius and St. John School and Meroby Elementary School, along with anyone interested, will see the charter passed to the Meroby Elementary School fourth-graders.
The charter will stay overnight in Mexico before Shock brings it by horseback to Dixfield Elementary School on May 25. From there, the document will be carried to Peru Elementary School on May 26, where an as-yet unnamed rider will carry it to Canton on May 27.
The Mexico event will include basket-weaving, hand quilting and other demonstrations, among other activities.
At the committee’s next meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 2, at the Mexico town office, members will choose a postage stamp cancellation from about two dozen created and submitted by students from the four Mexico and Rumford elementary schools. Cancellations marking the day will be available from the post office at the Mexico Recreation Park on May 24.
Arsenault said the committee plans to send letters to area businesses and civic groups within the next few weeks asking for donations to help cover the costs of the event.
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