MEXICO – U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud, D-Maine, will be among the dignitaries attending a celebration of the Oxford County bicentennial at the Mexico Recreation Park on May 24.
Louise Arsenault, chairwoman of the Citizens Advisory Board, the organization that has been putting together the celebration, said only two meetings remain to get the final touches on the day-long event. The advisory board includes schoolchildren from Rumford and Mexico, town officials and residents of River Valley towns
On May 24, a horseback rider carrying a copy of the charter that established Oxford County in 1805 will arrive in Mexico to present the document to fourth- and fifth-grade students from Meroby Elementary School. Students from Rumford and Virginia elementary schools, the River Valley Christian School and St. Athanasius and St. John School will also take part in the event.
The committee has been preparing for the event for nearly a year. It has two more meetings to wrap up loose ends. Those are set for 6 p.m. April 25 and May 10, at the Mexico Historical Society building.
Along with Michaud and selectmen from many area towns, Arsenault said U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, or her representative, also plans to attend the event, which is set to run from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The horseback rider is expected to arrive around noon.
Also, the Norway Fire Department is sending a horse-drawn water pumper and firefighting equipment and clothing from the early 19th century. Demonstrations in basket weaving and other crafts will take place throughout the day, and the Mexico Post Office will offer a special stamp cancellation honoring the bicentennial.
A copy of the charter began its trek by horseback from Boston to Maine in March. In early May it will be taken to many towns throughout the county by a series of horseback riders.
The major birthday celebration for the county’s bicentennial takes place in Paris, the county seat, in June.
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