Events

The Verde Historical Society sponsors several annual events at the Clemenceau Museum.  These popular events highlight and celebrate the Verde Valley's heritage.  The BBQ and Craft show also serve as fundraisers to support the museum.

Early Settlers' Day showcases the work and play of the folks who first  settled the Verde Valley in the last half of the 19th century.  A wide variety of demonstrations, hands-on activities and games for children make this a day of fun and learning.  Activities include ice cream and butter churning, biscuit baking, whittling, farm implement demonstrations, cattle branding and blacksmithing, bee keeping, quilting, rug hooking, needle arts and sewing bees, cornhusk dolls, several children's games and fiddlers.     

Zeke Taylor BBQ is one of the most popular and  anticipated annual events, always held the second Saturday in November.  Begun in 1991 by cowboy/ rancher, Zeke Taylor, as a fundraiser for the Museum, the tradition is carried on by Don Goddard, who slow roasts succulent beef in a pit of mesquite coals.  For a nominal cost, a delicious dinner of BBQ beef, beans, slaw, beverage and dessert is served up to a hungry crowd, that enjoys entertainment along with the meal.

Arts & Crafts American Style is held in the Clemenceau School auditorium from 9 -4 and features talented Verde Valley artists and craftsmen displaying stained glass, jewelry, dolls, pottery, woodwork, western items, original paintings and photography and lots more.  A $1 entrance fee benefits the Museum.  Light refreshments are available.

Other Activities include having an informative interactive booth at the annual Verde River Days at Dead Horse State Park the last weekend of September, and taking part in the annual Cottonwood Christmas Parade with a float entry.