It is autumn, there is a slight change in weather and people are anxious for community activities to get underway. All the activities sponsored by the Copper Basin Chamber have changed in dates and format. “Celebrating Our Heritage” is the theme for 2014-2015. Ray High is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year as well as Winkelman as they venture into their 100th year. Kudos to the Bearcat boosters for their kickoff to what was the first of many remembrances of Ray High School’s 100th anniversary this school year.
Oktoberfest as it has been known for many years is now the Fall Festival and this year only minus the car show. This year the street fair will combine with Trunk or Treat, Great Pumpkin, Halloween movie and haunted house on Saturday, Oct. 25.
Your favorite vendor booths with arts and craft and food will open at 11 a.m. in the mall area. The ever popular Great Pumpkin sponsored by the junior chamber students will be in front of the Pinal County Building at 4 p.m. As each age group goes through the pumpkin’s mouth they can proceed to the cars or booths that are lined up to hand out treats.
Applications are available at the chamber office for vendor booths which are $25 per booth and Trunk or Treat booths which are free. Any individual or group who want to help with the haunted house can check with Angela at the chamber office or with Fall Festival chairperson, Adam Perlman at the Ray Federal Credit Union.
Halloween trick or treat is Oct. 31 for Copper Basin children and on Saturday, Nov. 1 there will be an adult Halloween costume Dance at the Elks Lodge sponsored by the Copper Basin Chamber, Elks and Ray Federal Credit Union. Details will follow. The Community Action Board has a concert planned for Nov. 15. Local musicians and vocalist are on the play bill.
The Winter Festival is Saturday, Dec. 6 on Alden Street. Christmas vendors are welcome to set up booths as well as chorale groups from schools and churches are encouraged to perform throughout the evening. Emotions run high with the Memorial Love Light ceremony, luminaries, electric light parade and the visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Nominations for Citizen of the Year will be due in late December to mid-January and now is the time to think of your nomination.
All women in the Copper Basin area need to put Feb. 28 on your calendar for the Women’s Expo. It gets bigger and better each year.
Pioneer Days comes early this year, March 12-15. Celebrate our heritage with class reunions, family reunions and share your memories.
There are plans underway for our much needed historical society. Donna Hatfield is the person to contact if you have memorabilia or if you know of people discarding items of interest for a museum. One man’s junk is another’s treasure.