ALBUQUERQUE, NM--Old Town is the site for the celebration of the birthday of a thriving city that is now 306 years old. At Founders Day Fiesta, the entire Old Town area will host thousands of celebrants with live music and dance, historic presentations that salute the five eras of New Mexico history, and lots of entertaining interactive activities for children.

The event begins at 11 a.m. at the Gazebo with United Native Council Drumming and Dances, and ends with a 4 - 5:30 p.m. performance by popular local band Cadillac Bob and the Rhinestones.

Proclamations by Mayor Richard J. Berry at 3:30 p.m. will be followed by the singing of "Happy Birthday" and "Las Mañanitas," accompanied by Mariachi Nuevo Sonido and Mariachi San Jose.

Special areas featuring performances and presentations highlighting the five historic eras are: Native American, Romero at Church Street; Spanish, Plaza Hacienda; Mexican, Plaza Don Luis; Territorial, South San Felipe; and Statehood, San Felipe at Church Street. A number of Chautauqua performances representing important personalities from the past will be presented in these locations.

A complete schedule is below. Visitors are encouraged to use public transportation to the event. Rapid Ride drops visitors at Central and Rio Grande, just one short block from the festivities.

Schedule of Events
Gazebo
11 a.m. - United Native Council Drumming and Dances
12:30 p.m. - Yjastros Flamenco
1:30 p.m. - Mariachi Tradicional - With Ballet Folklorico Xallitic
2:30 p.m. - Virginia Creepers with The Contra Dancers
3:30 p.m. - Presentation of Proclamations and everybody join in singing Happy Birthday and Las Mañanitas with Mariachi Nuevo Sonido/Mariachi San Jose
4 - 5:30 p.m. - Cadillac Bob and the Rhinestones

Romero at Church Street - Native American Era
Trader Barb's Gallery is hosting the Navajo Code Talkers
Noon - ReCoil
1 p.m. - United Native Council
2 p.m. - Saving Damsels
3 p.m. - Buffalo Dancers from Jemez
4 p.m. - Shelly Morningsong and Fabian

Plaza Hacienda - Spanish Era
Noon - Sara de Luz
1 p.m. - Rumba Dance with Cielo
2 p.m. - Yjastros Flamenco
3 p.m. - Ballet En Fuego with Cielo
4 p.m. - Matachines de Bernalillo

Plaza Don Luis - Mexican Era
Noon - La Rondalla with Ballet Folklorico Del Valle
1 p.m. - Mexican Cousulate Piñatas and lotería "Bingo"
2 p.m. - Tamboraso Zacatecano
3 p.m. - Folklórico Xallitic with Mariachi Tradicional
4 p.m. - Mariachi Nuevo Sonido with Baila Baila

South San Felipe - Territorial Era
Noon - Steve Cormier
12:45 p.m. - Old Town Gunslingers
1 p.m. - Virginia Creepers with The Contra Dancers
1:45 p.m. - New Mexico Gunfighters
2:00 p.m. - Territorial Brass Band
2:45 p.m. - Old Town Gunslingers
3 p.m. - Adobe Brothers
3:45 p.m. - New Mexico Gunfighters
4 p.m. - Gene Corbin

San Felipe at Church St. - Statehood Era
Noon - Three Leaf Shamrock / Coleman Academy Irish Stepdancers
1 p.m. - Nan Bei Wushu Chinese Music and Dance
2 p.m. - Enchantment Scottish Country Dancers
3 p.m. - Cornbread Blues
4 p.m. - Rt. 66 Revelers with Soiree Dance group

Plaza Don Luis - Kids Area
Noon - 5 p.m. - Plaza Don Luis will play host this year to a wide variety of kid's activities, including Hulla-Hoopers, face painting, FUNNY DUMMY Puppetry & Clan Tynker.

NM Humanities Chautauqua Demonstrations
Noon - 1 p.m. - Mr. Steve Cormier/Music From The Ranch and The Open Range at South San Felipe (Territorial Era).
Noon - 3 p.m. - Mr. Fred Hampton/Buffalo Soldiers - Military Heroes of the Southwest in the Park
1 - 2 p.m. - Recuerdos, music from the 18th Century New Mexico at the Old Town Snack Bar
3 - 4 p.m - Ms. Van Ann Moore - A Journey of the Heart: A Southern Belle in the Old West at High Noon Restaurant & Saloon
2 - 3 p.m. - Mr. Arnold Herrera/The Way of the Drum at Church Street Café

Costume Contest
Come dressed in a costume that represents one of the five eras: Native American, Spanish, Mexican, Territorial or Statehood. Prizes will be awarded.