RUMFORD – The Marden’s Lady will appear at the Rumford
store Friday as part of a daylong series of events to benefit the American Heart Association.

Birdie Googins, the character from the discount store’s commercials, will be at the Route 2 store, which is marking its second anniversary of the store’s opening. Assistant manager
Tina Sirois and manager Roberta Burns organized the day. A Marden’s Lady look-alike contest
will be judged at 12:30 p.m. Sirois said competitors may register free at 11 a.m. at the store. A gift
certificate from Marden’s will be given to the winner.

Besides a chance to meet Googins or
compete in the look-alike contest, people may take a shot at one of
several local officials who will be perched over a dunk tank. Sirois said so far, Rumford Selectmen
Brad Adley and Frank DiConzo, Rumford Town Manager Carlo Puiia,
Mexico Town Manager John Madigan, former state legislator John
Patrick and current state legislator Cheryl Briggs, along with
Waterville Mayor Paul LePage and Marden’s co-owner John Marden, also
of Waterville, have volunteered to be sitting ducks. Dixfield Town
Manager Eugene Skibitsky has promised to buy some balls and take some
shots at some of the volunteers, Sirois said.

Throughout the day, a variety of food vendors will be at the site. Music played by local group, Smith
Crossing, performs from noon until 3 p.m., followed by Eric
Schmersal, aka Chicken Nuggets, who will spin some discs until 6 p.m.

Other activities include face painting
and a bake sale. Also, a Linus quilt will be raffled. Money raised
from that will benefit children with traumatic injuries.

eadams@sunjournal.com