New Mexicos summer season is in full swing, jam packed with outdoor adventure, unique festivals and cultural activities that beg for attention. As Secretary of the New Mexico Tourism Department, I welcome you to New Mexico, a place like no other.
Michael Cerletti
For 17 days every September, Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque becomes its own little city during the annual New Mexico State Fair, with free entertainment, concerts, rodeos, carnival rides, farm animals, horse shows, art displays, competitions, and much more. Youll want to explore every cranny of its 236 acres to avoid missing anything during this wonderful statewide celebration.
Presided over by the State Fair Queen, the New Mexico State Fair offers livestock exhibits and competitions of all kinds to local farmers, ranchers, and 4H club members, while school children from all over the state look forward to seeing their art work displayed in one of the exhibit halls.
As summer cools down, the Village of Hatch heats up with the annual two-day Hatch Chile Festival celebration of its world-famous crop, attracting more than 30,000 visitors from all over the United States, including such notables as the Food Network and the BBC.
Festival goers September 5-6, 2009 can sample famed chile recipes, watch the crowning of the chile festival queen, join in a chile ristra contest or just sit back and enjoy artisans, food, carnivals and fun.
The annual Clovis Music Festival, September 10-13, 2009, at the Curry County Special Events Center, will feature performances by The Nelson Brothers, Johnny Tillotson, Shirley Alston Reeves of The Shirelles, Dave Somerville of The Diamonds, The Fireballs, Tommy Allsup, Kevin Montgomery and The Originators of Rock & Roll (Johnny Rogers as Buddy Holly, Darell Croy as Jerry Lee Lewis, and Pete Peterkin as Little Richard).
"We are excited to bring this event back to the fans and to celebrate the lives of those who made a huge mark on the music world," said Ernie Kos, Clovis Music Festival executive director. "We know you will enjoy your visit to the Biggest Little Music City in the World, Clovis, New Mexico."
The 11th annual Rio Costilla Studio Tour is September 12-13, 2009, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., both days. The tour is free and open to the public.
The tour features a thriving group of some 25 artists and craftspeople living in the watershed of the Rio Costilla. Their homes are bordered by the Sangre de Cristo mountains to the east and the Rio Grande gorge to the west at the southern edge of the San Luis Valley of Colorado and New Mexico.
The annual September studio tour allows travelers and art lovers to visit the homes, studios and galleries for two days of celebrating art and fine crafts, good food, friendship, and renewal through art. The works include painting, print-making, photography, bronze sculpture, wood and stone carving, fine and rustic furniture, ceramics, African drums, artisan bread-baking, and a tour of spectacular wild flower fields in full bloom.
The annual White Sands Hot Air Balloon Invitational - one of the fastest growing and most popular small-town balloon rallies in the country - lifts off September 19-20, 2009.
Located 15 miles west of Alamogordo, White Sands National Monument is 275 square miles filled with enormous dunes of gypsum sand. More than 50 hot air balloons are launched each day right at sunrise from the heart of the dunes and stay aloft for around three hours.
A Balloon Glow September 19 at Alamogordo High Schools Tiger Stadium at 103 Cuba Ave. takes place 30 minutes after sundown, beginning around 6 p.m.
One of the nations premier cowboy events, the Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium, returns to the Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino October 9-11, 2007. Now in its 20th year, the Symposium welcomes more than 20,000 visitors annually to celebrate all things Western.
Some of the nations finest cowboy poets, musicians (including the world famous Texas Playboys), chuckwagon cooks, western artists and craftsmen set up shop for three days of events, competitions, and workshops. In 1996, the symposium was selected as the Best Cowboy Cultural Event by the National Cowboy Symposium Association.
One of the highlights of the Symposium is the worlds richest chuckwagon cook-off (featured on the Food Networks All American Festivals) with prizes totaling $12,000. Competitors are judged not only on their mouth-watering food, but on the authenticity of their wagons and attire.
"NaturalMente," a group show featuring four artists inspired by natural forms and organic materials, is the latest art exhibition at the National Hispanic Cultural Centers Art Museum, on view through January 10, 2010.
The diverse range of media includes photographs by Fernando Delgado; Rita Padilla Haufmanns fiber art; mezzotint prints by Carol Sánchez; and Camilla Trujillos pottery.
Their work reflects inspired responses to nature and creativity. "We titled the show NaturalMente, because it has a double meaning; it means Naturally and also Natural Mind in Spanish," said .Art Museum Director and Chief Curator Dr. Tey Marianna Nunn. "Both of these themes are evident in the beautiful and incredible work by these four artists."
This incredible two person two night package allows you to enjoy your cool evenings at the best in Albuquerque hotel accommodations and dining, while wiling away your sunny days on the lush fairways of the Paa-ko Ridge Golf Club and above it aboard the incredible Sandia Peak Tramway.
Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town exemplifies "Albuquerque Style," a unique blend of New Mexicos Pueblo, Spanish Territorial and Western cultural influences. This landmark hotel is nestled in the heart of the historic Old Town Plaza and museum district, with its 400-year history and more than 200 shops, restaurants, and galleries to explore.
Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town offers two delightful restaurants - Café Plazuela and Cristobals Fine Dining, as well as the popular Q Bar, a sophisticated ultra-chic lounge. The knowledgeable staff will assist you in planning a museum outing, finding the best places to shop, or where to catch a unique cultural event.
September 5 & 6, 2009 - Ft. Marcy Park in Santa Fe, NMHours: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
America's Oldest Capital City is having its 400th Anniversary and you're invited! This FREE, multi-cultural festival will explore the sights, sounds and tastes of Santa Fe through incredible musical performances, dance workshops, cooking demonstrations, exhibits and more.
Join the Santa Fe School of Cooking in our Sabores de Santa Fe area to see renowned chefs like Mark Miller whip up classic Santa Fe dishes, or join in a flamenco lesson by Juan Siddi in our Musical and Dance connections tent. Kids will enjoy tall tales by Indiana Bones and laugh as Wise Fool entertains with colorful puppets. Over 40 performers will take to the Legacy Stage over the weekend, including NDI, Savor and Los Coloniales. Come experience the best of New Mexico all in one place. More information...
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August 2009 Events
21-23 Deming Great American Duck Race — www.demingduckrace.com
22-23 Santa Fe Indian Market — 505-983-5220 or www.swaia.org
26-27 Harvest Festival, Blanco — winesofthesanjuan.com
28 St. Augustine Feast Day, Isleta Pueblo — newmexico.org
29 Sunflower Festival, Mountainair — 575-847-2205
29-30 Enchanted Circle Century Tour, Top of the World, Red River — redriverchamber.org
29-31 Tejano Fiesta, Lordsburg — 575-542-9251
September 2009 Events
5-6 Fiesta de los Ninos, Rancho de las Golondrinas — www.golondrinas.org
Totah Festival, Farmington — 800-448-1240 or farmingtonnm.org
Cimarron Days — 575-376-2417
29th Annual Elephant Butte Balloon Regatta — 505-307-4142
5 — 7 New Mexico Wine Festival, Bernalillo — wwww.nmwine.com
Santo Domingo Arts & Crafts Market — 505-465-2214
Harvest Wine Festival, Las Cruces — 575-522-1232
4 St. Augustine Feast Day, Isleta Pueblo — isletapueblo.org
8 St. Annes Fiesta, Deming — 575-546-3343
7-9 All American Futurity- Ruidoso Downs — ruidosoracing.com
Labor Day Crafts Market, Santo Domingo Pueblo — santodomingopueblo.com
10 Burning of Zozobra, Santa Fe — zozobra.com
11 Pinatafest, Roswell — roswellnm.org
11-12 9th annual Route 66, Santa Rosa — www.santarosanm.org
11-13 Days of 1895, Red River — redrivernewmex.com
12-13 Dragonfly Festival, Bitter Lakes National Wildlife Refuge —www.friendsofbitterlake.com
19-20 Golden Aspen Motorcycle, Ruidoso — 575-257-8696
20-28 High Country Fish Fest, Eagle Nest — 505-377-2420
23-27 Santa Fe Wine and Chile Fiesta — 505-438-8060 or santafewineandchile.org
25-27 The Whole Enchilada Festival, Las Cruces — 575-526-1938 enchiladafiesta.com
26-27 Corrales Harvest Festival, Casa San Ysidro — 505-898-3915
28-10/4 Eastern New Mexico State Fair, Roswell — 575-688-3210
30 San Geronimo Feast Day, Taos Pueblo — taospueblo.com
30-10/4 Southern New Mexico State Fair & Rodeo, Las Cruces — 575-524-8602
October 2009 Events
2 — 4 Rio Grande Arts and Crafts Festival — www.riograndefestivals.com
Oktoberfest, Red River — redrivernewmex.com
2-5 Shiprock Fair — 800-448-1240
3 Tour of Trinity Site, Alamogordo — 575-437-6120
Road Apple Rally and Junior Rally, Farmington — 800-448-1240
3-4 Harvest Festival, El Rancho de las Golondrinas — www.golondrinas.org
Octoberfest Juried Art Show — Cloudcroft — www.cloudcroft.net
3—11 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta — www.balloonfiesta.com
4 St. Francis of Assisi Feast Day, Nambe Pueblo — nambefalls.com
4-5&11 Studio tours in Cerrillos, Madrid and San Marcos — 505-438-7003
9-10 Four Corners Storytelling Festival, Farmington — 505-599-1273
10 Los Leones de Mesilla Car Show — 575-644-3747
Ancient Way Cycling Tour, Grants — 505-287-4802
Open Air Market, Jemez Pueblo — jemezpueblo.org
New Mexico Pumpkin Fest, Las Cruces — 575-522-1232
10-11 Abiquiu Studio Tour — www.abiquiustudiotour.org
17 St. Margaret Marys Feast Day, Laguna Pueblo — lagunapuebloco.org
17-18 Octoberfest, Ruidoso — 575-257-6171
Peanut Valley Festival, Portales — www.portales.nm
Duke City Marathon — www.dukecitymarathon.com
High Rolls Apple Festival — www.highrollsfestivals.org