Participants show their support in 2018 for recovery from addiction at the annual Western Maine Recovery Rally, held yearly in September as part of National Recovery Month. Contributed photo

The fifth annual Western Maine Recovery Rally is scheduled Sunday, Sept. 19, to bring people together to support and celebrate recovery from addiction.

As part of National Recovery Month, the rally will be a show of community support for those impacted by substance use, an opportunity to learn more about addiction and recovery, and a chance to connect with local resources providing support to those already in or looking for recovery.The recovery rally will feature a unified march from downtown Norway, where people will gather at 11 a.m. at Longley Square, 413 Main St. Free rally T-shirts, cloth masks and signs to carry during the march will be available upon arrival.

At 11:30 a.m., the crowd will begin a march with police escorts to Moore Park in South Paris, where a rally will be held with free food, resource tables and speakers starting at 1 p.m. Speakers will share personal stories about how their lives have been impacted by addiction and recovery.

Over the history of this event, rally speakers have demonstrated that substance use impacts every corner of their communities and people from all walks of life. They’ve also shared stories of strength, compassion and inspiration. Speakers will include local legislators and legislative representatives.

Following the speakers, the family friendly celebration will continue with lawn games, children’s activities, and more.

The event will conclude at 3:30 p.m., with transportation to take people back to their vehicles in Norway, Fryeburg or the River Valley.

This event, to be held rain or shine, is being coordinated by the Western Maine Addiction Recovery Initiative, a nonprofit organization devoted to providing a compassionate response to the crisis of substance use in Oxford County and the surrounding area.

More information is available online at wmari.org and WMARI’s Facebook page.

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