RUMFORD – The Rumford Historical Society will be decorating a Christmas tree Wednesday night as part of Rumford’s annual Festival of Trees.

The decorating, which begins around 7 p.m. in the Rumford Falls Auditorium, will be preceded by a brief business meeting for the volunteers at the historical society. Following the meeting, the volunteers, with the assistance of historical society members, will decorate a 6-foot Christmas tree that will be put on display on Dec. 8.

According to Gail Parent, chairwoman of the Rumford Historical Society, this is the first year the historical society has been approached about participating in the Festival of Trees.

As for the tree itself, Parent said that while it’s not required for the tree to have a theme, the volunteers at the historical society have thought of one.

“I know that different groups in the past have decorated their trees with a theme in mind,” Parent said. “We’re going for something rustic, because we’re rustic people.”

When pressed for more information about the decorations, Parent laughed and said she didn’t want to ruin it for everyone. However, she said the experience of decorating was great for everyone involved.

“It was a bonding thing,” Parent said. “We got to work with people we normally wouldn’t work with and got to come together. It was fun.”

The Festival of Trees is an annual event hosted by the Rumford Performing Arts Committee, where local businesses or groups come together, decorate a tree and display them for the festival-goers to see.

The festival will be held at the Rumford Municipal Building Auditorium and doors will open at 6 p.m. The show will begin at 7 p.m. Christmas carols will be sung, and a visit from Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and their elves is expected.

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