RUMFORD – More than 250 youngsters ages 6 to 19, their parents and friends will converge on Rumford this weekend to take part in the annual state YMCA gymnastics competition at Mountain Valley High School.

Louanne Thibodeau, gymnastics instructor at the Greater Rumford Community Center and event organizer, said participants will come from YMCAs or YMCA-affiliated clubs from as far away as Old Town and Ellsworth, and as close as the Oxford Hills and Auburn.

The group that Thibodeau coaches is second in size only to Waterville’s. Thirty-five girls and one boy from the Rumford area will compete this weekend.

Josh Merrill, 17, of Rumford is the only boy participating, Thibodeau said. She has coached him since he was 6 years old. Another senior at MVHS, Kerri Patneaude, will also be competing. She, too, has been coached by Thibodeau since she was 6.

The competitions will begin at 10 on Saturday and Sunday mornings in the Nick Puiia Gym at the high school. Admission is free.

Thibodeau’s group will offer raffles, a concession stand and a chance to buy gymnastic apparel each day of the event.

Rumford won the bid to hold the statewide competition over nine other areas. Thibodeau said Rumford also hosted the 2002 state YMCA gymnastics competition, but this year’s event has drawn far more participants.

Costs for judges, 200 trophies and 1,500 medals will be covered by registration fees paid by each participant. NewPage Corp. donated a new vaulting system for the competition and the school has donated space for the event.

Thibodeau, who has coached gymnastics for 20 years and works with several other local coaches, said any money made from the event will go toward the purchase of more equipment for the sport.

Motels are expected to be filled during the weekend, and the restaurants busy, she said, because at least 1,000 family members and friends will be in the area to watch the competition.

“This should be a boon for the area,” she said.

A special event will be held prior to Sunday’s competition when 6-year-old Abbie Blauvelt of Rumford will be honored with several items, including a gymnastic quilt, donations and a large photo of her and her mother. Abbie, who has participated in gymnastics for two years, was recently diagnosed with leukemia.