RUMFORD — With nothing up his sleeve, including past experience or practice, Scot Grassette of Rumford plans to perform a grand escape.

On Saturday, Oct. 22, Grassette, owner of 49 Franklin in Rumford, is hosting a magic hoedown and thrill show at his reception hall at 49 Franklin St. He hopes to perform an escape act where he will be shackled inside a wooden box that is screwed shut and surrounded with ratchet straps.

A magician for 38 years, Grassette has never before attempted an escape act.

The performance will be part of a larger event known as the Worldwide Escape Artists Relay. Artists from around the world will perform a variety of escapes on that day.

The first event was held Oct. 29, 2005, and was created to make the art of escape popular like it was in the early 1900s. Harry Houdini, often considered one of the greatest escape artists, toured the United States for years before his death in 1926 and brought acts of escape into the limelight.

Grassette’s wooden box was donated and built by Puiia Lumber Co. in Mexico and is available for display inside the store until the day of the event. The box measures 30 by 48 by 32 inches.

Grassette said in days when acts like Houdini were preformed artists would often work hand in hand with local merchants.

“They would hit them up for supplies and such and in turn get free advertising for their store,” Grassette said. “Really a hardware store is a secondary magic shop.”

He said he first learned about magic from a Boys Life magazine at age 7 and ordered an Abbotts Magic Novelty Co. catalogue.

“My mother made me pay for everything, including the stamp and envelope,” Grassette said. “I had to earn it all and that’s why I think I stuck with magic all these years.”

The event at 49 Franklin will also include acts from Dennis Labbe, Doctor Wilson and Jason Dolloff. Labbe is attempting to escape from 100 feet of rope that he will be tied up in with the assistance of an audience member.

Dolloff will preform a strong-man act, and musicians Lori Grassette and Bill Hoyt will play a variety of instruments, including spoons, bones, a cajon and a harmonica.

Doctor Wilson’s act is being left as a surprise performance.

Partial proceeds will go to support Ring 362 of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of the art of magic.

Doors will open at 5 p.m. with the show starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are $8 and may be purchased at All That Jazz and Bartash’s on Congress Street in Rumford or by calling 369-0129.

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