PARIS – The highlight of Saturday’s Oxford County celebration came as dignitaries gathered on the steps of the Paris Hill Baptist Church to commemorate the 200th birthday of Oxford County.
State Historian Earle Shettleworth Jr. read a document from Gov. John Baldacci proclaiming June 11, 2005, as the official bicentennial of Oxford County. Commissioner Steven Merrill read a proclamation from the state legislators.
Gardiner Waldier was formally recognized for his efforts in walking the proclamation from the Longfellow House in Cambridge, Mass., to Porter in southern Maine. It took Waldier two weeks during the March storms to make the trek.
Horseback riders who were in the parade had carried the documents to every fourth-grade class in the county so schoolchildren could experience a part of history.
The ceremony was part of a full day’s activities in which historical topics were demonstrated and explained. Jeff Miler from New Hampshire portrayed a blacksmith from the 1750s. He explained how the old-timers took the forge, anvil, toolbox and bellows with them when they moved about, either following the troops or just relocating.
Susan Murata, also from New Hampshire, explained how the birch mushroom or fire mushroom was used as tinder to start a fire from flints. She showed how flammable the mushroom actually is after it had been boiled, dried, smashed and charred in coals.
A simple spark from her flint rocks ignited the small piece instantly. She said it was far more flammable than small bits of cloth that were used when the mushrooms weren’t available. There was a suttlery shop that also packed up and followed the troops wherever they went, and a clothier and weaver shop.
The bicentennial quilt was on display all weekend.
A cannon was fired just prior to the start of the parade that marched up Paris Hill. Children and adults watched from shaded maples along the road as participants in the parade marched in heavy period costumes in the 90-degree, humid heat.
No one seemed to suffer from the heat, but a tragedy was narrowly averted when a horse reared into the crowd after being spooked, smashing an ice chest and food where a family had been sitting before jumping aside.
Colonial re-enactors continued their encampment on Sunday with more 18th century demonstrations by artisans. Events culminated at 2 p.m. with the breakup of the camp.
Comments are no longer available on this story