The town of Clinton is pulling out all the stops for its 350­th birthday celebration in an exciting and educational weekend called Heritage Days. Heritage Days will take place over Labor Day weekend (Aug. 31 and Sept. 1), utilizing historic Main Street, and the Indian River, harbor, and beach. The festival will commence with an authentic Native American Smudging Ceremony Demonstration at Clinton Landing, bringing Native American ancestors into the event. A parade featuring many fife and drum corps, pipers, antique cars, local groups, and floats will head up Commerce Street and onto Main Street ending at Liberty Green.

Following the parade, onlookers will gather along the Indian River. Festivities will continue there with the Kenyon Grill Food Court, beer garden, and main stage, where dignitaries will speak and live music will be performed throughout the day, including performances by Eight to the Bar (multi-time Best Live Band), Caribbean Beach Bums (opening for Josh Turner at the Durham Fair), and closing with an evening concert by one of Clinton's favorites, Rock Bottom. Along Main Street, a host of activities and a variety of entertainment will take place, including an Artisans' Market and local actors from Kidz Konnection performing vignettes of local historic events. Additionally, there will be kayak, stand-up-paddle, and build-a-boat contests and Native American demonstrations.

The Clinton Historical Society has secured exhibitors that will provide a look into historic trades of early Clintonians: blacksmiths, candlemakers, wood carvers, beekeepers, spinners, basket makers, and sheep shearers. They will be exhibiting on the Old Brick grounds. There will be several opportunities to interact with the tradesmen.

Folks can also take tours of the the Captain Elisha White House (a.k.a. "Old Brick"), the oldest brick house on the shoreline from New Haven to New London. The lot on which the house was built was purchased in 1750 by a sea captain named Elisha White. The bricks used to build the house were thought to have been brought from England by ship as ballast. Features in the Captain Elisha White House are a Colonial herb garden and 19th-century American portraits.

The Clinton Art Society will feature artists painting the town in a plein aire demonstration along the magnificent Indian River, which has long been a popular subject for local artists. Visitors can speak with the artists and purchase the paintings. There will be talks and demonstrations on drumming, spear throwing, and archaeology exhibits to honor Clinton's Native American heritage. Sunday morning (Sept. 1) will bring a close to Heritage Days with a sunrise service, Blessing of the Fleet, build-a-boat races, and a dog dock diving contest.

For more information on events or to volunteer, visit Clinton350.org or find us on Facebook. 350th Headquarters is located on Main Street in Clinton and is open Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and Sundays between noon and 4 p.m. There is plenty of 350 memorabilia for sale at headquarters, including T-shirts, hats, tote bags, wine totes, and assorted wine and beer glasses engraved with the 350th logo.