FAYETTE – Dick and Becky Pelletier celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Jan. 4 while on a trip to Florida to visit family and friends.

They were honored earlier in the season at a celebration planned by their children to coincide with the couple’s 23rd annual International Bluegrass Pickin’ Party held at their home, “Musicale Place,” on Baldwin Hill Road. Approximately 2,000 guests, including four generations of their family, attended the three-day event from Okinawa, Japan; Azerbaijan, Baku; Istanbul, Turkey; Budapest, Hungary; Sackville and Dieppe, New Brunswick; and their granddaughter’s husband, who was home on leave from the war in Iraq.

Guests also attended from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont and Virginia.

The barn, where music is enjoyed all summer long, was decorated with gold and black balloons to match the colors of this year’s pickin’ party T-shirts. A large handmade anniversary banner, photo collages, framed photos, plants and assorted 50th anniversary decorations completed the decor. Anniversary cards overflowed the wicker laundry basket lined with gold satin, and it took the couple more than five hours to open them.

Mrs. Pelletier’s golf cart was decorated with gold satin valances, streamers, balloons and a buoy bell by family members.

Fifty bottles of champagne for the anniversary toast were the gift of their son-in-law, Terry Robards of Upper Jay, N.Y., and photography for the celebration was the gift of Lee Ann LaFleur of East Livermore. The six enormous anniversary cakes decorated with gold roses were the gift of their daughter and son-in-law, Lori and Barry Bonnevie, and the hundreds of stemmed glasses for the toast were the gift of their son, Rick.

Saturday morning’s celebration began when the couple was led into the barn at 10 a.m. and seated in rocking chairs tied with helium balloons. Mrs. Pelletier was crowned with a gold tiara by her daughter, Lori Beth Bonnevie. Another daughter, Julie Robards, welcomed the guests and acted as mistress of ceremonies for the hilarious two-hour roast that followed.

The afternoon events began at 2 p.m. and their son, Rick, served as toastmaster. The couple was presented with a gold memory book created by their daughter, Julie, that was filled with letters, original prose and poetry and photographs from their family and friends.

During this segment of the party, it was announced that their foster daughter, Vi Dalot of Raymond, was in the process of having her name changed to Vi Pelletier. Socializing and music filled the remainder of the afternoon.

The evening activities began with the Pelletier family performing before the annual 50/50, can-o-rama and gift drawings were held. Elaine Sweenor of Hudson Falls, N.Y., was the winner of the 2007 Pelletier Pickin’ Party guitar.

Sunday morning’s gospel service was led by Bud Knight of Jefferson. Following the service, the couple opened their many gifts.

Mrs. Pelletier retired in June after working as an educational technician for MSAD36 for more than 37 years. Her hobbies include oil painting, pen and ink drawing, calligraphy, photography, making elaborate May baskets, writing and cake decorating. Her retirement plans include writing and illustrating a children’s book.

Mr. Pelletier retired from International Paper Co. in Jay after 30 years, and as a professional bluegrass musician after nearly 40 years. He is a luthier, building beautiful stringed instruments and hand-cutting intricate mother-of-pearl and abalone designs for the inlay.

Both are avid bluegrass lovers and promoters and have hosted the Pelletier’s annual International Private Bluegrass Pickin’ Party for 23 years. They are members and officers of the Moose Hill Free Will Baptist Church in Livermore Falls, where they play piano and bass for the Sunday morning worship services.

They are the parents of four children, Julie Robards of Upper Jay, N.Y., Lori Beth Bonnevie of Fayette, Derrick “Dusty” Pelletier, deceased, and Richard V. Pelletier of Middletown, N.Y. They also have a foster daughter, Vi Dalot of Raymond. They have 14 grandchildren and are waiting for the birth of their 13th great-grandchild.