This August is full of things to do at the Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum
Posted at 1:23 pm | Filed Under CVB News
By: Stephany Trego
Cooking, camps, and new exhibits can be found this August at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum.
Delicious dishes made from okra, leeks, nectarines and figs will be prepared in the Harvest Cooking Class, taught by Carol Koenig. The class will be on August 5th from 2 to 4 p.m. and pre-registration is required.
Back by popular demand, the Pottery Camp for Kids will be August 6th and 7th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Children from first grade through fifth will learn the basics of pottery and leave the class with their own work of art. The cost of the class is $40 and pre-registration is required.
On August 14th from 6 – 8 p.m. the new exhibit “Keith Humphries: Stories of the Old West” will open in the Legacy Gallery. This exhibit brings the Old West to life through artwork and oral historical record of the late historian, Keith Humphries. Refreshments will be served at 6, and admission is free.
Set to open in late August is the Shalam Colony: Dream in the Desert. Come and learn about one of the most fascination and unusual colonies that existed here in the Mesilla Valley. The exhibit is set to open in late August, and an opening reception and lecture will take place on September 11th. Keep checking the Farm and Ranch September calendar for more details.
For more information on these events, or to register for a class or workshop, please call the Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum at (575) 522-4100.
10th Annual Mesilla Valley Maze introduces the New Mexico Pumpkin Festival
Posted at 11:30 am | Filed Under Event News
By Stephany Trego
LAS CRUCES, NM— Never before has a corn field been so much fun! Whether you have kids or are just a kid at heart, you will have a blast maneuvering your way through the twists and turns in this year’s maze.
This year’s theme is Presidents and Pumpkins, which pays tribute to all of our founding fathers since they were all somehow involved in agriculture.
This will also be the first time the New Mexico Pumpkin Festival will be celebrated. People of all ages can enjoy some of the various activities that will be offered like hayrides, face painting, several contests, a country store, the corn maze, food and much more!
“The pumpkin festival is new this year in celebration of our 10th anniversary,” said Anna
Lyles, maze manager. “We thought it was time to start a festival and that our 10th anniversary would be the perfect time to start it. Obviously what we have been doing with the annual maze and pumpkin patch has been working since it has lasted for 10 years.”
A new activity at the Pumpkin Festival is the adopt-a-pumpkin and pumpkin weigh-off. Bring your kids out between Labor Day Weekend and September 26th to pick out what they think will grow to be the largest pumpkin. For $10 you will get your pumpkin adoption papers and all proceeds benefit the Las Cruces FFA program. The farm will do all the watering and fertilizing for you until October 12th, when you will come back for the big weigh-off to see which pumpkins grew to be the heaviest. Prizes will be awarded to the ‘parents’ of the top three pumpkins.
The maze will last from September 27th through October 26th and will be open on the weekends from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Pumpkin Festival will be on October 11th and 12th from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and admission is $8 for adults and $6 for children. All events take place at the Lyles Family Farms at 3855 West Picacho Avenue.
For more information call the Lyles Family Farm at (575) 526-1919, or log onto www.mesillavalleymaze.com.
The 28th Annual Whole Enchilada Fiesta Promises to be the best yet
Posted at 12:02 pm | Filed Under Event News
By Stephany Trego
Las Cruces, NM – What do you get when you combine 750 pounds of stone ground corn, 175 gallons of vegetable oil, 75 gallons of red Chile, 175 pounds of grated cheese, and 50 pounds of onion. … the worlds largest enchilada.
This year’s Whole Enchilada Festival will take place on September 26th through the 28th and will have plenty of activities to fill the three day schedule. Two stages will feature live musical performances with a variety of Tejano, Country, and Classic Rock, intended to satisfy the musical tastes of a diverse group of people. On Friday, music will be from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The Whole Enchilada Fiesta has been recognized as one of the top 100 events in the United States, and is the 3rd largest in New Mexico. The enchilada holds the title in the Guiness Book of World Records for the largest enchilada, which helps to draw over 40,000 people from over 20 states to this event.
This year’s fiesta is very much a family oriented event. With musical performances, craft booths, a carnival and New Mexico’s largest parade, you will be sure to find something for everyone.
For more information contact the Whole Enchilada organizers at 505-526-1938 or log on to www.enchiladafiesta.com.
ArtsHop Event benefits local youth
Posted at 12:01 pm | Filed Under Event News
By Stephany Trego
Las Cruces, NM – Art lovers prepare yourself to tour some of Las Cruces’ finest galleries featuring beautiful works of art from local talented artists. The ArtsHop event will be held on Friday, September 5th from 5 to 9 p.m., and benefits young art students.
The event is sponsored by the Dona Ana Arts Council (DAAC), and showcases a tour of selected galleries and talent in the area’s growing gallery scene. All proceeds will support the DAAC Career Art Path (CAP) for middle school students. CAP is an intensive two-week visual arts program for that introduces students to a variety of art media and to the many art-related careers available.
“Beyond the fact that it benefits middle school students and has the potential to benefit economic growth to the area,” said Cati Waterman, Events Coordinator for the DAAC, “ArtsHop creates more exposure for local galleries and artists.”
Waterman said this year, at least 13 galleries will be participating in the event. Last year’s Tombaugh Gallery and the Main Street/Blue Gate Gallery will be participating, along with three new galleries; New Dimension Art, Unsettled Gallery, and In Effect. Local restaurants and caterers will provide light hors d’oeuvres at each location.
Sally Cutter of Glen Cutter Gallery got the idea for the event after visiting Santa Fe’s art crawl. “Our art in Las Cruces has always had the warm flavor of the Southwest, and sometimes back then, people were not really aware of it,” she recalls. “Having an event where art, arts education and food joined together was something we in Las Cruces could do very well.”
Tickets can be purchased at participating art galleries or at the DAAC office in the Rio Grande Theatre located at 211 N. Downtown Mall. Tickets are $20 dollars in advance or $25 dollars the night of the event.
For more information, contact Cati Waterman at 575-523-6403.
Traditional Mexican holiday celebrated two-hundred years later
Posted at 12:01 pm | Filed Under Event News
By Stephany Trego
LAS CRUCES, NM – Thousands of people will fill the Mesilla Plaza the second week in September for the annual Mexican Independence Day celebration, Diez y Seis de Septiembre.
Celebrating their Mexican heritage, the Town of Mesilla will host its annual Diez y Seis de Septiembre festivities from noon to midnight on Saturday, Sept. 13 and from noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14.
The holiday marks the launch of Mexico’s fight to gain independence from Spain. On September 16, 1810, Miguel Hidalgo de Costilla led the first large revolutionary forces against the Spaniards. Several years later in 1812, Hidalgo finally received what he had called for, his country’s independence.
This fiesta in Mesilla has been going on since the late 1800s, with only a 10 year break from 1980 to 1990.
“Mesilla celebrates Diez y Seis de Septiembre because of the ties it has to Mexico,” said Kristie Medina, event coordinator for Mesilla. “At one time, the Mesilla area was claimed by Mexico.”
Medina explained that many early settlers of Mesilla went to live in Mexico when Mesilla became a part of the United States and as a result many residents in Mesilla have ancestors in Mexico.
A parade will kick-off the celebrations on Saturday at 11 a.m. along Avenida de Mesilla. The parade will feature floats, equestrian units, marching bands, color guards, spirit squads, antique vehicles, fire trucks and other groups.
This year’s opening ceremonies will begin at noon on Saturday, Sept. 13th and will feature representatives from the Mexican Consulate in El Paso as well as a military marching band from Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico.
Tradition is also a reason for the festival.
“The fiesta allows Mesilla to keep traditions alive,” said Medina.
Entertainment highlights the fiesta with mariachi groups, Folkloric dance groups, Flamenco dancing, soloists and live bands.
About 30 vendor booths will line the plaza offering a variety of products including art, crafts, games, drinks and food. There will be a greased pole climb, sponsored by Andele Restaurant in Old Mesilla, and piñatas for kids.
Attendees are encouraged to bring folding chairs for their convenience, but are not allowed to bring alcohol, smoking or pets to the plaza.
For more information, contact the Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau at 505-541-2150, or by email at cfaivre@las-cruces.org
Second annual Indigenous Soccer Cup to be held at New Mexico State University
Posted at 12:01 pm | Filed Under Event News
By Stephany Trego
Las Cruces, NM- The New Mexico State University American Indian Program & Athletic Department will help co-host the 2008 Indigenous Soccer Cup at NMSU from July 20th through the 26th. More than 34 communities will be represented by 24 Native youth teams in this positive youth development event.
In addition to the top-level soccer competition, there will be college/university workshops, soccer skills sessions, and life and leadership workshops. A gala dinner and reception will kick off the event on July 19th from 5 to 8 pm at the NMSU Corbett Center Ballroom.
This year, the ISC will be in remembrance of Vaughn Aldrich Lujan, (March 25, 2006 – April 19, 2008), who died after a brief illness this spring. Lujan’s father, Arron Lujan (formerly from Las Cruces) was a youth soccer star in New Mexico and went on to earn collegiate All-American honors at Colorado College, eventually playing professional soccer for seven years.
For information regarding the ISC, or about attending the gala, please contact Southwest Youth Services at 505.265.4300, or at info@sysnm.org.
Thousands expected at the 2008 La Viña Winery Harvest Festival
Posted at 12:00 pm | Filed Under Event News
By Stephany Trego
Las Cruces, NM – Spend the weekend enjoying wine and entertainment at one of southern New Mexico’s oldest wineries at the annual La Viña Winery Harvest Festival from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18 and Sunday, Oct. 19 at La Viña Winery.
“The idea is to introduce people to new wines and part of that introduction is to give information on what wines go with what food,” said Otto Brock, a volunteer for the festival. “Knowing how to pair wine with foods is the primary reason for having wine with dinner.”
Around 20 wines will be available for tasting and purchase, and 3 or 4 new wines will be added this year. The outdoor event will feature local and regional entertainers as well as food, and arts and crafts.
“It is a celebration. The harvest is complete and we want to share the new wines with others,” said Denise Stark, owner of La Vina Winery. “It’s a great time to celebrate and great weather to celebrate in.”
The festival has been going on for almost 30 years and all other New Mexico wine festivals are patterned after this one. Nearly 8,000 people are expected over the two day event. Tents, tables and chairs are provided, but you are asked to leave your picnic baskets, pets and outside beverages at home.
Admission is $10 for adults and includes a complimentary wine glass and up to six tastes of wine or one glass of wine. Admission is $5 for ages 12-20, and 12 and under are free. La Vina Winery is located at, 4201 Highway 28, La Union.
For more information, contact Stark at 575-822-7632 or visit www.lavinawinery.com
Local Festivals sure to make Labor Day Weekend a memorable one
Posted at 11:48 am | Filed Under Event News
By Stephany Trego
LAS CRUCES, NM – New Mexico Chile and wine have one thing in common this Labor Day weekend, festivals held in their honor. Whether you’re wanting to sip on some of the finest wine in the area, or eat the hottest Chile west of the Mississippi, you won’t have to travel far.
Frequently featured on Food Network and other documentaries around the world, the Hatch Chile Festival was started 37 years ago by local Chile farmers as a big party to celebrate the Chile harvest.
The festival will begin on Saturday, August 30th with a parade at 10:00 a.m. and continue through Sunday, August 31st. The festival events will be held at the Chile Festival Grounds (which is also on the Hatch Airport grounds) about 1 mile west of Hatch on Hwy 26 toward Deming.
Admission for the festival is only $5 per carload, and events will include a Chile cook-off and roasting, musical entertainment, coronation of the Chile Queen, Chile pod competition, carnival rides and fiddling contests.
“People from all over the country wait all year to come to Hatch during the festival to get their fresh green Chile supply for winter,” said Marcia Nordyke, festival coordinator. “The chamber receives calls daily making sure when the festival is so they can make the pilgrimage here to get that fresh roasted drug.”
Nordyke said the soil temperatures in the valley are what make Hatch’s Chile the best around and why they are called the Chile Capital of the World.
Every year, over 30,000 Chile fans come from all over to taste the Worlds Best Chile (that’s 28,000 more people than the entire population of Hatch).
A glass of wine and you’ll be fine at the Ninth Annual Harvest Wine Festival that was started in the tradition of celebrating the grape harvest.
The festival will be held from noon to 6:00 p.m. Saturday, August 30th through Monday, September 1st. In addition to grape stomping, wine education classes, arts and crafts vendors, and food vendors, the festival will feature live music from UndisKovered, Zane Lewis, Nostros, Captain Radio, and Rebecca Owen.
Southern New Mexico State Fairgrounds will host the event and admission is $13 for adults 21 and over and free for those under 21 (however, minors must be accompanied by an adult). Also, Monday is Military Monday and active military will receive $3 off admission with their military ID.
“The wine festival is a great place for people to sample a large assortment of different wines and learn more about the types of wines grown all over New Mexico,” said Dawn Starostka, event planner.
For more information, contact the Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau at 505-541-2150, or by email at cfaivre@las-cruces.org.
Thousands expected in Old Mesilla for Dia de los Muertos Celebration
Posted at 11:43 am | Filed Under Event News
By Stephany Trego
Las Cruces, NM – Dia de los Muertos, or “day of the dead” is a holiday held to honor and remember loved ones that have passed. Tradition holds that during this celebration, the souls of the dead return to earth to visit their living relatives.
This annual event will be celebrated on the historic plaza in Old Mesilla November 1st through the 2nd. On Saturday, the events will last from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
On Saturday at 10 a.m. the assembling and displaying of altar memorials will begin, followed by a piñata breaking at 3 p.m. and a costume contest at 4 p.m. On Sunday at 6 p.m. a luminaria procession will take place. Live latino jazz will be provided throught the day.
This holiday takes the often fearful and sad outlook on death and transforms it into a joyful celebration of the lives their loved ones lived, with dancing, costumes, drinks, and music
Preciliana Sandoval, coordinator for the event said an attendant from last year called the celebration “the best festival locally and their favorite to go to every year.”
Admission for the event is free. For more information contact Preciliana Sandoval at (575) 647-2639.
Las Cruces Wins Another Top Destination Award, Sixth Award in Seven Years
Posted at 2:01 pm | Filed Under CVB News
By Stephany Trego
LAS CRUCES, NM - June 11, 2008 For the sixth time in seven years, Las Cruces, New Mexico has been recognized by Facilities & Destinations magazine as a Top Destination.
The Facilities and Destinations Top Destination Awards are given to the leading Convention and Visitor Bureaus or similar organization for marketing and meeting planner services.
Las Cruces was among several US cities selected by the magazine’s readers to receive the 2006 award recognizing destinations for their ability to accommodate groups and conventions.
“This is a great honor for Las Cruces and the CVB; we are pleased to have been selected again by the readers of Facilities & Destinations to receive this year’s Top Destination award,” said Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) Executive Director Ken Mompellier.
Readers based their decision on such criteria as quality of meeting space, professionalism of staff, hotel accommodations, onsite management, special promotions and services, accessibility and the attractiveness of the destination.
“Together, the bureau and local hotel sales departments have taken an aggressive approach to promoting Las Cruces facilities to the meetings market while emphasizing the many great reasons to hold meetings in Las Cruces. Over the past few years we have established many great contacts and are looking forward to expanding the meetings and convention market in Las Cruces,” said Mompellier.
The Convention Sales Department is currently under the direction of Convention Sales Manager John Bulla who joined the CVB staff in 2006.
For more information, contact the Las Cruces CVB at (505) 541-2150 or by email at cfaivre@las-cruces.org.