If a 50th anniversary is called the golden anniversary, one could say the 150-year-old Colorado School of Mines is golden three times over.
Mines kept its yearlong sesquicentennial celebrations rolling Sept. 26-28 during its annual Homecoming Weekend.
In addition to the usual 5K race, football game and other festivities, the university hosted a special Blaster’s Bash party Sept. 27 with dozens of food trucks, games, activities and giveaways.
About 4,800 students, faculty, staff, alumni and other supporters attended the party, which included an unveiling ceremony for two special items commemorating Mines’ sesquicentennial.
The first was a ceremonial sword made of Damascus steel, which will be used at graduations and other events.
Senior Bryn Russell, a teaching assistant for Mines’ bladesmithing class, spent more than 500 hours making the sword. He said it was “a privilege and honor” to make something the university will use for decades to come.
The second was the new Sesquicentennial Bell outside Guggenheim Hall.
President Paul C. Johnson said it fits the school fight song that describes “a college bell” to mix rum and sugar in. The bell, which is repurposed, was originally cast around the same time Mines was founded in 1874, Johnson said.
After Mines officials and alumni rang in the bell, Orediggers enjoyed the rest of Blaster’s Bash on the nearby Kafadar Commons until the annual bonfire and the lighting of the “M” later in the evening.
Check GoldenTranscript.net for more coverage of Mines’ sesquicentennial celebration and Homecoming Weekend, including sports news.
Click through additional photos of the Sept. 27 unveiling ceremony and Blaster’s Bash party:
Colorado School of Mines alumni, students and other supporters watch the Sesquicentennial Bell’s unveiling in front of Guggenheim Hall Sept. 27. About 4,800 Orediggers attended the event, which featured food trucks, games, giveaways and more in addition to the unveiling ceremony. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
President Paul C. Johnson, far left, and Colorado School of Mines mascot Blaster celebrate the unveiling of the university’s Sesquicentennial Bell Sept. 27 during Homecoming Weekend celebrations. Along with the bell, the university also commissioned a ceremonial sword to commemorate its 150th anniversary. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
Colorado School of Mines students and alumni sing the school fight song during the Sept. 27 Sesquicentennial Bell unveiling ceremony in front of Guggenheim Hall. Thousands of Orediggers attended the event to commemorate the university’s Homecoming Weekend and 150th anniversary. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
Colorado School of Mines alumni wait in line to have their Engineer’s Hats branded during the Sept. 27 Blaster’s Bash celebration. The university revived the Engineer’s Hat tradition earlier this year to commemorate its 150th anniversary. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
On Sept. 27, a Blaster’s Bash attendee displays their newly printed bag celebrating Colorado School of Mines’ Homecoming Weekend and 150th anniversary. The large party featured dozens of food trucks, games and giveaways around the Kafadar Commons. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
Colorado School of Mines alumnus Greg Stark wears his Engineer’s Hat Sept. 27 during Blaster’s Bash party for Homecoming Weekend. Stark, a graduate of the Class of 1969, was one of 4,800 Mines students, alumni and other supporters who attended the event. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
Colorado School of Mines decorates the front lawn of Guggenheim Hall for the Sept. 27 Blaster’s Bash event. The large party, which featured dozens of food trucks, games and giveaways, celebrated the university’s 150th anniversary during its Homecoming Weekend. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
Colorado School of Mines students, alumni and staff compete in a paper-airplane-making contest Sept. 27 during the Blaster’s Bash party. The Homecoming Weekend event, which featured food trucks, games and giveaways, celebrated the university’s 150th anniversary. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
Colorado School of Mines alumni have their Engineer’s Hats branded Sept. 27 during Blaster’s Bash party for Homecoming Weekend. The university revived the Engineer’s Hat tradition earlier this year to commemorate its 150th anniversary. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
Colorado School of Mines mascot Blaster pumps up the crowd in front of Guggenheim Hall Sept. 27 before the Sesquicentennial Bell unveiling ceremony. To celebrate its 150th anniversary, the university installed a bell in front of Guggenheim Hall and commissioned a ceremonial sword. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
Colorado School of Mines cheerleaders pump up the crowd in front of Guggenheim Hall Sept. 27 before the Sesquicentennial Bell unveiling ceremony. To celebrate its 150th anniversary, the university installed a bell in front of Guggenheim Hall and commissioned a ceremonial sword. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
Colorado School of Mines mascot Blaster unveils the university’s Sesquicentennial Bell Sept. 27 during Homecoming Weekend celebrations. Along with the bell, the university also commissioned a ceremonial sword to commemorate its 150th anniversary. Credit: Corinne Westeman