The Town of Fort Fairfield Celebrates its 150th anniversary this year and plans are already underway for activities throughout the year.

Sesquicentennial chairpersons are Sarah Ulman and Rayle (Reed) Ainsworth and the theme for the event will be It’s Time.

“We are planning many wonderful events for this anniversary of the town,” said Ulman. “There will be a grand opening for the new town office, a reenactment of the signing of the town charter by our town leaders, a ‘living history’ display at the one-room school house, where teachers and students will reenact classroom activities from 150 years ago, and we even plan to publish an updated history book of Fort Fairfield.”

The last history of Fort Fairfield was published in 1894. Ulman and Ainsworth plan to interview various people from Fort Fairfield regarding the town’s history and use them in the book, along with old photographs as they are made available.

“We want to involve as many people as possible in this project. The Frontier Heritage Historical Society is already well-established and will be our foundational support group to coordinate through, in addition to other local clubs, churches and the college in Presque Isle.”

There will be an Open House at the Community Center for the Grand Opening of the new town office. “There will be a supper for the community during the open house and we will be recording stories from local people who wish to share them for the book.” The committee plans to pre-sell the book, which is expected to be completed and ready for delivery in the first part of 2009.

They are also planning to assemble a time capsule, but the details and location still have to be determined.

The new town clock will be dedicated during the Potato Blossom Festival as part of the 150th anniversary celebration and Ainsworth has designed a small flower garden to compliment it.

The budget for the Sesquicentennial will be offset by sales of various collectibles and the updated history book; the balance will be paid for by the town. “We estimate the cost to the town will be from eight to ten thousand dollars,” said Ulman.

The Fort Fairfield town council voted at last month’s meeting to reserve up to $15,000 for the event, which will be used to supplement the committee’s sales to cover expenses.

For those who wish to volunteer, or have stories or pictures they wish to share, they may contact Sarah Ulman via email: skough@ainop.com  or “snail mail” at 15 Aroostook Way, Fort Fairfield, Maine 04742. Rayle (Reed) Ainsworth can be contacted via email at edandrayle@gwi.net  or snail mail: 140 Fairwind Lane, Yarmouth, Maine 04096.