CLIFTON — It will be a party 150 years in the making.
The Town of Clifton will celebrate its Founders Day sesquicentennial this weekend with a number of events.
Festivities start Saturday, Nov. 4, at 8 a.m., with a pancake breakfast at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. At 9 a.m., the Clifton Bakery’s Merchant Market opens, and the Clifton Hotel will have baked goods, drinks and crafts available starting at 10 a.m.
Also at 10 a.m., attention moves to Fernandez Park for the Founders Day opening ceremonies, featuring Mayor Laura Dorrell and other speakers. There will be free hot dogs, popcorn and soda, plus there will be free shuttle rides to the other events.
At noon, the Mares Bluff Veterans Memorial will conduct its event at the Clifton RV Park, culminating in the placement of a Bell UH1 helicopter — known as a Huey — at the memorial at the top of the bluff.
Also at noon, the 10th annual Colors of Copper Art Show will open at the Clifton Train Depot.
“We have a lot of different artists submit their work from all over town, the county and even the country, and the only requirement is that their artwork is related to copper in some way,” said Rae Frederick with the Art Depot of Clifton.
Cash prizes for first, second and third will be awarded in five categories: painting, water media, sculpture, crafts and photography.
In addition to art, the event will feature wine tastings from regional vineyards.
The Colors of Copper runs from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Finally, the Clifton Social Club will host the band High Country for a show Saturday from 8 p.m. to midnight. $10 donation per person.
