PERU — Dirigo Elementary School students, staff and parents marked the school’s 10th year Wednesday with a birthday party and open house. It was held in conjunction with a community fair.

Students and their families were treated to cake and apples from a local farm.

Students participated in a scavenger hunt — searching the building to find answers to 10 questions about the school.

The school was built in 2008 “so we did a birthday theme for open house and this is like our fifth or sixth year of doing the community fair,” Principal Charlie Swan said. “We have somewhere around 22 or 23 community organizations, from police and fire departments to game wardens and rec departments.”

Students participated in a scavenger hunt — searching the building to find answers to 10 questions about the school.

Maine State Police Troopers Jason Wing and Adam Fillebrown attended with Fillebrown’s K-9, Aros, a Belgian and German shepherd mix. They talked about his role as a patrol and narcotics dog and demonstrated how he sniffs out drugs and apprehends criminals.

mhutchinson@sunmediagroup.net

Dirigo Elementary School students Carson Sayer, 6, left, and Mitchel Sayer, 9, fill out their scavenger hunt quiz form during the school’s 10th birthday party and open house Wednesday evening in Peru. Their parents, Shay and Eric Sayer, watch them. (Marianne Hutchinson/Rumford Falls Times)

Abby Waleik cuts birthday cake for her children, Henry and Gwen Waleik, at the Dirigo Elementary School 10th birthday party and open house on Wednesday evening in Peru. (Marianne Hutchinson/Rumford Falls Times)

Sophie Poulin and her mother, Bethany Poulin, advise a student on the drama program at Dirigo Elementary School in Peru on Wednesday. The program is open to students in grades four through 12. (Marianne Hutchinson/Rumford Falls Times)