The Verde Historical Society sponsors several annual events at the 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.
Home Arts Demos. TheMuseum will host a series of demos on the last Fridays of the month, beginning January 2010 with weaving and spinning. Friday, February 26 there will be demonstrations of knitting and crocheting and on Friday, March 26, demonstrations of embroidery and lacemaking. The demos are free of charge and will take place in the Museum's Family Room during regular Friday hours, 11 - 3.
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. (see video of event)
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.
