Photo Provided Members of the Custer Memorial Association cut the ceremonial cake at last year’s annual Custer Days event in New Rumley. Pictured, from left, are Patrick Pinkerton, Dave Rose and Rick Williams.

SCIO — The Custer Memorial Association will hold its annual Custer Days event today — a celebration of General Custer’s 180th birthday.

More than 70 people are expected to attend today’s event from 5:30-9 p.m. at the New Rumley United Methodist Church in Scio. David Rose, president of the memorial association, said more people would like to attend but, unfortunately, there is limited seating at the church this year.

“I wish we could fit in more people. … We have a pretty good loyal base that comes out (each year),” Rose said.

Rose has been involved in the association for the past 11 years, since 2008. People come from all over to attend the observance, he said.

“We (memorial association) have people come in from Pittsburgh, Cleveland, everywhere,” he added.

The program for this year’s birthday celebration is “Morgan’s Raid of 1863.” Local history enthusiasts will speak at the celebration including Lyle Zerla of Dillonvale, who will present the program at the event. Rose said that Zerla is an expert on the history of the raid that was led across the local area and orchestrated by Confederate Brigadier Gen. John Hunt Morgan and his men during the Civil War.

“He has been interested in Morgan since he was a toddler, who played on a Morgan Monument near his uncle’s car dealership in Dillonvale,” Rose said in an event release.

Since an early age, Zerla has learned all he could involving the history of Morgan. Rose said he has researched the raid extensively and presented numerous informational talks on the subject along with giving public tours along the trail used through Jefferson and Columbiana counties

Zerla’s presentation will cover an overview of the raid that transpired in Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio, with emphasis on Guernsey, Harrison, Jefferson and Columbiana counties, Rose said. Morgan led more than 2,000 Confederate soldiers across Ohio, bringing the Civil War to the North in attempts to occupy and divert Union soldiers toward himself thus creating less opposition in the South.

Rick Williams will host the evening as Gen. George Armstrong Custer. Williams has assumed the role of Custer for many years.

A family-style dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. at the Methodist Church, 41395 Rumley Road East, Scio. Musical accompaniment will be performed by Herman Neimayer. Following the dinner, tickets will be drawn for donated gifts from local merchants and association members. Certificates will also be awarded to the golden sponsors.

The CMA holds two major events each year; one in June entitled “Custer Observance” and the second in December for the annual birthday celebration.

Rose said the association is always in need of volunteers. Volunteer duties include aiding with the museum, enabling it to be open as often as possible; handing out programs and literature; answering questions and helping with events.

For more information on the CMA or to volunteer with the organization, call 740-695-3744.