As Secretary of the New Mexico Tourism Department, I welcome you to New Mexico, a truly diverse destination. Summer is in full swing in the Land of Enchantment, and Fall is right around the corner. A wealth of attractions, activities, natural wonders, and memories like those highlighted in this newsletter are just a short drive away. There is no place like New Mexico and no time like now.
Michael Cerletti
This summer four lucky travelers will find themselves exploring “The Best Place in the Universe. New Mexico, Earth,” as winners of the New Mexico Tourism Department’s “Northern Tour” and “Southern Tour” Sweepstakes.
The winners of the “Northern Tour” will enjoy an airfare allowance for two up to $800 and a Thrifty Car rental for five days to travel to Santa Fe and Taos.
In Santa Fe, the lucky pair will be provided two days’ lodging at the Eldorado Hotel, dinner for two at The Old House and two Culture Pass for free admittance to all the museums of the Museum of New Mexico.
Winners of the “Southern Tour” will also enjoy free airfare up to $800 and a Thrifty Car rental for five days to visit the many sights of Albuquerque, New Mexico’s largest city, and Ruidoso, one of its most picturesque.
In Albuquerque, the sweepstakes winners enjoy two nights’ lodging at the Lodge of Albuquerque and two passes to the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway, the nation’s longest.
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Ballet Pro Musica Festival follows its successful inaugural season with a second summer season of Chamber Music Ballet at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque, July 28-August 3, 2008.
Ballet Pro Musica Festival will feature the New Mexico debut of principals and soloists from the internationally recognized, Mexico City-based National Ballet of Mexico (Compania Nacional de Danza), along with the return of the Felberg Chamber Virtuosi, led by the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra’s Associate Concertmaster, violinist David Felberg.
Formed as a response to the now-common use of recorded music during live ballet performances, Ballet Pro Musica’s critically acclaimed inaugural season was the first summer festival in America devoted exclusively to a new entertainment art form -- Chamber Music Ballet -- a partnership of virtuoso musicians and virtuoso dancers from celebrated national companies, marrying live chamber music to classical dance presentations.
One of New Mexico’s major summer events, the 87th annual Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial in Gallup – complete with Indian art sales and exhibits, tribal dances, the All-Indian Rodeo, parades, rug auctions, contest Pow-Wow and Indian Art Village – is August 6-10, 2008.
Since 1922, the people of Gallup have been proud to present the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial each summer. A unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Native American arts, cultures, and traditions, “Ceremonial,” as it is known throughout the region, is a special time when indigenous peoples from throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico travel to Gallup to share the best of their creative and performing talents and diverse heritages with the rest of the world, and to reunite with other indigenous groups.
Nowhere else can you experience tribal ceremonial dances, a contest pow-wow, indoor and outdoor arts and crafts markets, all Indian rodeos, a world class juried art show, opportunities to buy authentic Native American art and jewelry, parades, Native American foods, a ceremonial queen contest, and crafts demonstrations, all in one location at one time.
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The Connie Mack World Series for baseball players ages 16 to 18 returns to in Farmington for the 44th straight year August 1-9, 2008. Games are played daily at Ricketts Park.
Players the caliber of Cal Ripken, Jr., Edgar Martinez, Ivan Rodriguez, Barry Larkin, Ken Griffey Jr., Ozzie Smith and Derek Jeter are products of the Connie Mack program. The Connie Mack World Series which is played in Farmington, New Mexico is attended by approximately 80,000 fans
Forty-four years ago, a delegation of Farmington businessmen traveled to the American Amateur Baseball Congress annual meeting in Chicago in what many thought was a futile effort to bid on the 1965 Connie Mack World Series. The tournament had been held in Springfield, Illinois until this time. With their 1963 Babe Ruth World Series and the 1964 Connie Mack South Plains Regional Tournament experience behind them, the delegation presented a convincing story and won the bid by one vote.
If cycling is your thing, then Red River is where you want to be September 6-7, 2008, for two of New Mexico’s premier cycling events, sponsored by the Red River Chamber of Commerce together with the Red River Bike Club.
The annual Enchanted Circle Century Tour September 6, started by local rider John Miller in 1977, is 100 miles of scenic, high altitude, alpine cycling through the beautiful Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The mass start begins in front of Red River Town Hall at 8 a.m. and takes riders through Taos, Questa, Black Lake and Angel Fire, past Eagle Nest Lake State Park and over both Palo Flechado and Bobcat Pass. Few tours compare when it comes to the physical and mental strength needed to accomplish this event. Medical help and sag wagons will be available. The Enchanted Circle Century Tour is endorsed by the New Mexico Sports Authority.
The Top of the World Mountain Bike Race in the Enchanted Forest Cross-Country Ski and Snowshoe Area two miles east of Red River on State Road 38 gets underway September 7 at 10 a.m. The five-mile loop through the forest includes grueling climbs, sharp turns and a steep downhill finish. The number or loops depends on your level of expertise, but regardless, you can expect your adrenaline to flow and mud to fly.
Michael Cerletti, Secretary of the New Mexico Tourism Department, joined officials from the New Mexico Department of Transportation June 25, 2008 in celebrating the reopening of the Glenrio Rest Area and Visitor Center along Interstate-40 near the New Mexico-Texas border.
The facility underwent a state-of-the-art remodeling, nearly doubling its current capacity to accommodate approximately one million visitors annually.
Originally built in 1972, the rest stop now includes a newly-constructed 9,500 square foot visitor center, a media area complete with a theater and wireless Internet, and brand new information kiosks.
The $7.4 million Hacienda-style facility features a spacious lobby and information kiosks that highlight many historical and cultural aspects of New Mexico. The visitor center of this facility will be managed by the Tourism Department, while the Department of Transportation will run the rest area operations. The new facility is designed to accommodate one million visitors annually.
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The rich Hispanic culture of Northern New Mexico will be celebrated at the 57th annual Traditional Spanish Market, 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.
The traditional art forms featured each year at Spanish Market include Santos, hide paintings, straw appliqué, textiles, furniture, colcha, ironwork, precious metals, pottery, - hand-sculpted bowls, pots, and bonework, ramilletes and basketry.
Spanish Market also includes continous music and dance entertainment, art demonstrations and regional foods. This year's schedule of events includes performances by Esteban, Manzanares, the Maria Benitez Dance Company, Cielo, salsa and mariachi.
The Santa Fe Plaza plays host to the most prestigious Native American arts show in the world - the annual Santa Fe Indian Market - Aug. 23-24, 2008.
Each year the Santa Fe Indian Market includes 1,200 artists from about 100 tribes who show their work in over 600 booths. The event attracts an estimated 100,000 visitors to Santa Fe from all over the world. Buyers, collectors and gallery owners come to Indian Market to take advantage of the opportunity to buy directly from the artists. For many visitors, this is a rare opportunity to meet the artists and learn about contemporary Indian arts and cultures. Quality is the hallmark of the Santa Fe Indian Market.
“I encourage everyone to experience its wonder and enjoy the beauty of the arts created by this state’s premier residents,” said Michael Cerletti, Secretary of the New Mexico Tourism Department. “The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) is to be commended for its continued sponsorship.”
The Santa Fe Indian Market has long been the place where Native American art meets the world. Join thousands of collectors, artists, volunteers and visitors who return from across the United States and the world to join in the festivities that celebrate American Indian culture and artistry.
The outdoor market provides a unique place to meet and buy directly from the nation’s top Native American artists. Demonstrations by Native American groups and artists allow visitors a chance to learn more about different tribal and artistic traditions. A book booth sells educational and informative books with signings by Native authors. From Indian Tacos to Chile Stews to Mutton on Fry Bread, a unique taste of Native American culture is available from early morning until the closing of Market.
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High gas prices got you down? Figure you might as well stay home this summer?
Well, if your home is New Mexico, staying home is not such a bad thing. In fact, it’s a great thing.
“Let’s Go, New Mexico” is the call to action of the brand new marketing effort by your friends at the New Mexico Tourism Department. Its purpose is to convince New Mexicans they should consider the Land of Enchantment first when making vacation plans – be they for a weekend adventure or a week-long getaway
As Governor of the "Land of Enchantment, I'd like to invite you to vacation in New Mexico this summer,” says Governor Bill Richardson. “New Mexico is a cultural gem full of museums, art and ancient history. We have world class hunting, fishing, skiing, hiking and much more. Our 90,000 tourism professionals across the state welcome millions of visitors here each year. I hope you’ll be among them. Check out what is right around the corner, right in your own backyard. Discover New Mexico.”
Thank you to all our readers that caught the fact that Manuelito, and Gallup for that matter, are located on I - 40 in western New Mexico not I - 25 as stated in last months newsletter.
New Mexico Transportation Department and Tourism department officials May 14, 2008 celebrated the reopening of the Manuelito Rest Area and Visitor Center near Gallup along Interstate 40.
The facility underwent a state-of-the-art remodeling, nearly doubling its current capacity to accommodate approximately one million visitors annually. Originally built in 1971 and located at the New Mexico/Arizona border, the rest stop now includes a newly-constructed 9,500 square foot visitor center, a media area complete with a theater and wireless Internet, and brand new information kiosks.