Let New Mexico Take Your Breath Away

Featured Destination: Elephant Butte

Nestled on the shores of New Mexico’s largest lake and located between two major metropolitan areas (Albuquerque & El Paso), the City of Elephant Butte was named for the extinct volcanic cinder cone that resembles an elephant located at the south end of the lake near the dam. Incorporated in 1998, Elephant Butte is a growing resort and retirement community. Elephant Butte offers superb RV accommodations, restaurants, hotels & motels, marinas, guide services, watercraft rentals and golf. Located along the Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway, Elephant Butte is a hub for day trips to local historical sites and the Gila National Forest.

Elephant Butte Lake is at its highest level in several years, offering water sports enthusiasts opportunities for great fishing, boating, waterskiing, windsurfing, jetskiing and swimming. Considered to be one of the best birding areas in the state of New Mexico, Elephant Butte has a diverse bird habitat with rare species such as the American Bald Eagle.

On July 5th, the annual Independence Day celebration at Elephant Butte Lake State Park will be the biggest fireworks show in the state. Fireworks are launched from Rattlesnake Island in the center of the lake and are reflected on the surface. Hundreds of boats take to the lake to enjoy this display, and tens of thousands of spectators line the lake shore.

To learn about all there is to see and do in Elephant Butte, visit www.elephantbuttechamberofcommerce.com or www.sierracountynewmexico.info.

Featured Event: 57th Annual Traditional Spanish Market

July 26 & 27, 2008

Santa Fe, NM -- With the generous support of the Qwest Foundation, the rich Hispanic culture of Northern New Mexico will be celebrated at the 57th Annual Traditional Spanish Market, Saturday and Sunday, July 26 & 27, 2008 on the Santa Fe Plaza. A destination event for residents and visitors alike, Spanish Market features handcrafted traditional arts by 250 local Hispanic artists, continuous music, art demonstrations and regional foods, and provides a unique opportunity for visitors to enjoy a taste of New Mexico's vibrant Spanish culture, both past and present. Admission is free to the public.

Spanish Market is organized and produced by the Spanish Colonial Arts Society which supports Hispanic artists through educational programs, grants, and the production of Spanish Market in July and Winter Spanish Market in December. These two major exhibitions give visitors a rare opportunity to meet some of the best Hispanic artists working in the region today.The Society's collection of more than 3,500 art objects is housed at the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art at 750 Camino Lejo (Museum Hill) in Santa Fe. The collections include Spanish colonial artforms covering four centuries and four continents.

For complete information on Spanish Market, Winter Market or the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, please visit thier website www.spanishcolonial.org