Sedona AZ (December 22, 2011) – In 1863, Arizona became a separate, official United States Territory, but several issues blocked any smooth road to statehood, and, indeed, statehood remained almost fifty years away. Ultimately, the statehood debate devolved into a dispute over whether the New Mexico and Arizona territories would produce one state or two. In November 1906 the two territories voted on the issue and Arizonans overwhelming renounced the idea of joint statehood by a larger margin. On February 14, 1912 President William Howard Taft signed the proclamation making Arizona our forty-eight state.
The City of Sedona and the Historic Preservation Commission have developed special events to honor Arizonas 100th anniversary of statehood. Working together with community-based organizations, they have developed a year-long celebration during 2012. A sampling of the upcoming activities include: the display of the Sedona Centennial Quilt at the annual Quilt Show at the Sedona Public Library, a sanctioned Arizona Centennial Event; a painting entitled Circle of Life made by five Sedona centenarians; the installation of public art work in the roundabouts, an Arizona Legacy Project, and the Sedona Centennial Tour of Historic Homes & Sites offered by the Sedona Heritage Museum.
The Sedona Heritage Museum and Sedona Historical Society have several other unique events planned including a community-bell ringing on February 14th, the day of statehood and a You Are There live radio theatre performance featuring the Arizona Constitutional Convention. The 42nd Annual St. Patricks Parade and Festival sponsored by the Sedona Main Street Program will honor the Thompson family who were the earliest settlers in the Sedona-Oak Creek Canyon area. The Verde Valley Sinfonietta has a Centennial Musical Program and the Chamber Music Sedona will host a BBQ and Bluegrass Festival. A centennial artists retrospective is planned by the Sedona Arts Center during its Plein Air Festival.
For details about these events, many other exciting happenings, and a calendar of events, go to the city website at www.SedonaAZ.gov/AZCentennial or contact Kathy Levin at 203-5035 or Klevin@SedonaAZ.gov