Mark Your Calendars: Datil Updates

DATIL NOW HAS A VETERINARIAN!

Jack Duncan, DVM now lives and works in Datil.  Jack has a mobile vet office and is in Reserve 1st and 3rd Thursdays each month, 2nd Thursday in Quemado, Every WEDNESDAY – Office in Datil is open – by appointment.  Friday as needed.  575-772-5150 office, email  bigcountryvet@gmail.com. Jack’s office and home are located off Route 12 about 2 miles South of Hwy 60.  Please call for appointment.
It is so wonderful to have a local vet! Thank you!

COMPUTER SERVICES

Serving Northern Catron County  – Computer training, setup & repair, Jack will come to you or bring it to him. Call Jack Koerber @ 575-772-5293. 30+ years experience on a wide range of software (inc. MS-Office & various graphic programs) and hardware with 10 years servicing Datil, Pie Town & Quemado and the rest of northern Catron County.

Magdalena MagTech Computer Service-Magdalena. Computer repair,set-up and instruction from Ted Bending who has over 30 years experience. Call: 575-854-3394. Will service Magdalena and surrounding areas. If you have a question-he has the answer!

If you would like to save gas and support our local businesses see other local business and service listings at the end of the events calendar.

SEPTEMBER

A word on the flea market in Datil – The Flea Market is doing very well and more and more people are coming to sell each week.  Pat Henry plans to have the flea market through September.  There is still time to de-clutter and sell some things.  Big things – furniture and useful items priced right sell quickly.  Each Saturday 8am-?  (Usually 12:30 or 1pm)  In front of the Datil Elementary School.  $3 donation goes to the school.  Come to shop or come to sell or both.  Walk on pavement while you shop and talk to neighbors.

Sat September 10 – 31st Annual Pie Festival – Jackson Park, Pie Town, NM
Pie Baking Contest Entry  9am – enter your pie in the Pie Baking Contest ( at the Fire House)   11am – Judging of the Pies
11:30 am Crowning of Pie Festival Queen

11am Children’s Games begin
1:00pm Pie Eating Contests for kids and adults,
2:00pm Horned Toad Races
3:00pm Raffle Prize Drawing
Live Music in the Afternoon – Auctions of Pies (entered in Pie Contest)  Evening Dance 8:00 pm featuring Doug Figgs and the Cowboy Way.  Food Vendors & Pies for Sale!  Arts & Crafts!
Stop by the Catron County Historical Society table.  Catron County Search & Rescue will be there too selling  Elk Raffle Tickets again this year for their fundraiser.  Tickets are $5 each.  Winner gets cow elk tag, muzzleloader,  food, lodging and meat processing included.
8pm Evening Dance featuring Doug Figgs and the Cowboy Way     Food Vendors and pies for saleplus Arts & Crafts vendors – All Day!
Contacts for Pie Festival   festivalinfo@pietowncouncil.com

Sat. Sept. 10th-House wares sale put on by Friends for Animals, Magdalena. Located on hwy 60 on the corner of Main and 60. Pots, pans, dishes, linens, towels, misc., small appliances and some small furniture. 9-1pm.

Friday Sept 16th at 6 p.m. at the Quemado Senior Center there will be a meeting of the Catron County Historical Society. We will be very honored to have as our guest, Karl Laumbach, renowned Archaeologist, Author, and listed with Dona Ana Historical Society hall of fame, who will be sharing with us insights gained on the Albert Jennings Fountain murder mystery and the Spider Web Trail.   On February 1, 1896 Albert Jennings Fountain, a prominent attorney and politician, and his 8-year old son Henry were run off the road between White Sands and Las Cruces and presumably murdered. The bodies have never been found and the case remains New Mexico’s premier murder mystery. Mr. Laumbach sets the stage and will share insights gained after 26 years of tracking a very cold case.

September 16, 17,18-Annual cowboy shoot -3 miles west of Magdalena at mile marker 109. Watch for signs.  New this year will be a country/western bazaar with a lot of vendors selling quite a variety of items-all locally made. Starts at 9:00am each day.

Sat. September 17th  9am-2pm – Preparedness Fair – LDS Stake Center, Eager, AZ
From Datil, go to Springerville on Hwy 60, turn left at McDonalds and go about 1 mile.  The LDS Stake Center is on the left, can’t miss it, big parking lot  -which will be full.  Jonille 575-772-5603

OCTOBER

Sat. October 1st – 2pm-5pm LOCAL AUTHOR BOOK SIGNING – Featuring Northern Catron County Authors  Michael Fuson, Ann Jenkerson, Thea Marshall and Uncle River – Baldwin Cabin Public Library  They will have their latest books to sell and refreshments will be served. Everyone is invited to come and support our local talent. BCPL is located on FR 100 just off U.S. 60, 3 miles west of downtown Datil.

Sat. October 8th   4pm Catron County Volunteer Firefighter Appreciation Dinner, Reserve Community Center. Full dinner course is $6.00 in advance/$7.00 at door.   Tickets available from Fire Chiefs in county. Active duty county volunteer firefighters are to contact fire chief for special instructions. This event is open to everyone and all are encouraged to join in this festival celebration.  Call 575-533-6744 for tickets/additional info.

LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AND SERVICES

DATIL FEED, located next to the post office carries all your animal needs – feed, hay, & Vet supplies for dogs, cats, horses, cattle, chickens, and all other livestock or pets.  Lora says that if they don’t have it, they’ll try to get it for you. Hours of operation TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 9am-5pm.
SATURDAY 9am – 1pm.   575-772-5177

If you can help – DACAB, the Datil Area Community Advisory Board, is working hard to bring healthcare to northern Catron County.  They are currently searching for land on which to build a clinic.  DACAB is a 501(c)3 charitable organization registered with the New Mexico Charitable Organization Regristry.  For more information, call Keith Spiller at 575-547-2868, email keith@dacab.org, or see the web site www.dacab.org.  Mail can be sent to DACAB, PO Box 221, Datil, NM 87821

Pie Town Library Hours –  The Summer hours at the Pie Town Library 1-3 pm each Thursday at the Pie Town Community Center.  (From Ruth Hanrahan)

WWW.FOXRAVENGIFTS.COM  is a gallery for local artisans to showcase and/or sell their work.  Every item is one of a kind.  If you are interested in showcasing or selling your work online this is the place for you. There is no charge to the artisan if you have digital photos and descriptions of each item you’d like posted. I can also design a website for you.  Please email Karen DeRusha at foxravengifts@gmail.com or call  575-772-5892 for more information. Christmas is just around the corner – visit www.foxravengifts.com for that one of a kind gift that is sure to please for years to come!

Have you heard of HUNGRY HOUNDS (AND CATS TOO)?  A Datil group that can help those in need of assistance with:  DOG OR CAT FOOD, Pet Medications, Spay/Neuter costs.  Call to apply or donate – Pat 575-772-5106 or Fran 843-509-4219.  Email:  hungryhounds@aol.com  Donations are greatly appreciated.

Fur and Feather Animal Assistance, Inc- Permanent Residential Facility for Dogs and Cats  Adoptions and Limited Intake for Lost and Abandoned Animals  Laurie Beauchamp, Pie Town, NM, 575-772-2661.

ROUTE 60 RECYCLING – David Brown is accepting RECYCLING on Saturdays at the Datil Flea Market.  He arrives around 9:30am. David’s phone number is 772-5646.

‘World’s Largest Navajo Taco’ Featured Performer at Gallup’s ‘Wild West Day/Catch the Kid’ Celebration

You don’t just crank out the World’s Largest Navajo Taco – and we’re talking Guinness Book of World Records large – in the family kitchen during halftime. That’s like expecting Billy the Kid to escape from the Lincoln County Jail in broad daylight. Oops – bad comparison.

Still, making the World’s Largest Navajo Taco is going to take some rehearsal – and that is exactly what the good folks in Gallup did last week in preparation for “Wild West Day” September 10, 2011 – the latest installment in the New Mexico Tourism Department’s “Catch the Kid” summer travel promotion scavenger hunt.

Don’t take our word for it; visit www.youtube.com/nmtode. Seeing is believing.

Building of the BIG Navajo Taco is set for September 10th in Gallup, beginning at 10 am at the downtown Courthouse Square. Following press photos and the international acclaim that is sure to follow, visitors can partake of the short-lived masterpiece free of charge. That’s right, there IS such a thing as a free lunch.

Sponsors of this once-in-a-lifetime event are Virgie’s Restaurant, Jerry’s Café, Coal Street Pub, Don Diego’s Restaurant, Sammy C’s Rocking Sports Pub and Grill, Taco Bell, Badlands Grill, Anthony’s Taste of the Southwest, Bueno Chili, New Mexico Sysco and Coca-Cola.

The World’s Largest Navajo Taco aside, Gallup may not be the “Seven Cities of Gold” that Coronado was hoping to find, but it is the epicenter of Native American history, art, culture and tradition; the Adventure Capital of New Mexico; and a great place to spend a Saturday.

When Route 66 came through town in 1926, numerous motels and service business joined the dozens of Indian Trading Posts that sprouted up displaying Native American arts and crafts to the many travelers along the Mother Road. Many of these vintage trading posts can be seen today, along with galleries, gift shops, old motels, and restaurants along historic Route 66 in Gallup.

In 1937, a Gallup icon was born when the El Rancho Hotel was built by the brother of the movie magnate, D.W. Griffith. The hotel quickly became the temporary home for many Hollywood stars as well as a stopping point for tourists driving on old Route 66.  Now it hosts one of the clues you might just need if you hope to “Catch the Kid.”

While the creation and ingestion of the World’s Largest Navajo Taco forms the obvious centerpiece to the community-wide events that make up Gallup’s “Wild West Day” September 10th schedule, it is not the lone attraction.

The day begins with a Family Trail Ride, 7-9 a.m., from the Gamerco Trail Head on the High Desert Trail, sponsored by Adventure Gallup & Beyond; and the Hot Air Balloon Mass Ascension from the Fox Run Golf Course at 7:30 a.m., sponsored by Red Rock Balloon Rally.

Bring your own shotgun and shells and create some noise in the Wild West Trap Shoot at the Gallup Shooting Range, 9-11 a.m., sponsored by the Gallup Shooters Club. The cost is $4 per round for targets or clay birds.

From 9 a.m.-noon, Kokopelli Adventures is sponsoring Rock & Ropes Community Rock Climbing at the Gallup Rock Climbing Area.

The Historic El Morro Theater will feature Billy the Kid movies from 11 a.m.-9 p.m., free of charge, sponsored by the City of Gallup and El Morro Theater.

Following the vanishing of the World’s Largest Navajo Taco from the Courthouse Square, Indian Dancers will entertain 2-3 p.m., sponsored by Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial; and the Gunslinger Blues Guitar Contest, sponsored by De Chaves Music and featuring Levi & The Plateros, begins at 4 p.m.

The Sunset Pyramid Hike is 6:30-8:30 p.m. along Pyramid Trail at Red Rock Park, sponsored by Adventure Gallup & Beyond (bring your own flashlight and water); and the day’s activities conclude downtown with the Wild West Arts Crawl & Shoot Out, 7-9 p.m., featuring a shootout on Coal Street between Second and Third.

This event involves a host of Gallup merchants, including Makeshift Gallery, ART 123, Cheapo Depot, Vintage Books, Gallup Service Mart, Outsider Gallery, Beeman Jewelry & Design, Downtown Coffee Shop, Crashing Thunder Studio, Bill Malone, Maria’s Uniform Station, Gallup Vision Source, Persinger Industries, Jet-Site Optical, Indian Touch of Gallup, Native American Traders, Zuni Traders, Denny Pino’s, Silver Dust Trading, Apache Trading, Silver House Trading Co., Indian Gallery, Trade-N-Post and more.

“Wild West Day” is hosted by the Gallup McKinley County Chamber of Commerce Visit www.thegallupchamber.com

Northwest New Mexico is also home of Sky City on Acoma Pueblo, the oldest continuously inhabited community in the U.S; Chaco Canyon – for 500 years the center of a culture that united a vast area of the Southwest; Bluewater Lake State Park; and Grants, surrounded by the Bandera Ice Caves, El Malpais National Monument, El Morro National Monument and the New Mexico Mining Museum

Salsa Fest Starts New Mexico Centennial Celebrations Off With A Kick

 

Things will be heating up as the New Mexico Centennial kicks off with SalsaFest at the Las Cruces downtown mall on Aug. 27-28. It all begins on Saturday, Aug. 27, with the SalsaFest! Eve Gala on Main Street with fine local cuisine, drinks, music, dancing under the stars and New Mexico Centennial Balloon glow from 6-9 p.m. The fun continues Sunday, Aug. 28, from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at La Placita and Main Street with salsa tasting, music, Zumba & Salsa dancing, food &craft vendors, storytelling and more! Local salsa chefs, both professional and amateur, will vie for top prizes as they create an array of delicious, fresh salsas. As the official statewide kickoff for the 2012 Centennial celebration, SalsaFest! is being promoted around New Mexico and the Southwestern region, so that new markets will become aware of exciting events occurring in Southern New Mexico. This year’s expanded SalsaFest! will stretch along four blocks of Main Street and La Placita, allowing for easy access to salsa tasting booths as well as food and craft vendors. With two music & dance stages, there will be ample room for all enthusiasts to try some Salsa and Zumba dancing. This is the perfect event for fans of great, fresh New Mexican cuisine. Easy access for tour buses is available close to Main Street. For more information, or for salsa chef applications, food vendor information and sponsorship pacakages, contact the Downtown Las Cruces Partnership at 575-525-1955, and via email: downtown@dlcp.org.

Hubbard Museum awarded federal grant

 

Officials of the Hubbard Museum of the American West announced they are the recipient of a federal grant in the amount of $79,355 from the Institute of Museum and Library Services/Museums of America 2011 grant program.

Funds from the grant are to be used to upgrade all of the technology in the Johnny & Marty Cope Learning Center which opened at the Museum in the Fall of 2009. The newer technology will enhance the Center’s ability to connect to a variety of Smithsonian Institution museums in real-time, as well as other museums around the world who share similar technology.

“We are very pleased and a little surprised to receive the award,” commented Jim Kofakis, director of the Museum, “We received a call from the New Mexico office of United States Sen. Jeff Bingaman giving us a heads up that we would be receiving official notification on July 29th. With all that is going on in Washington, it is truly an honor to receive the grant award.”

The Hubbard Museum was one of three museums in New Mexico to receive funding through the 2011 phase of the Museum’s of American grant block administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The Los Alamos Historical Society and the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture were also awarded funding. Nationwide, 160 museums received project funding.

The Johnny & Marty Cope Learning Center was officially opened in October of 2009 with the financial assistance of Mr. & Mrs. Cope, the R.D. & Joan Dale Hubbard Foundation

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and many donations from museum members and patrons. The center provides multi-faceted functionality including real-time live video connections to most of the Smithsonian Institution’s museums and many other high-tech options. The equipment in the Cope Learning Center is being completely updated to the most current technology available and will additionally allow the Museum to broadcast tours and educational programming to people all over the world.The Hubbard Museum of the American West is located at 26301 Highway 70, and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission to the Museum is $6 for adults, and reduced admission is available for senior citizens, military personnel, and youth. Visit our web page at www.hubbardmuseum.org or call 575.378.4142 for information.

Catron County Updates

PLEASE NOTE: DACAB, the Datil Area Community Advisory Board, is working hard to bring healthcare to northern Catron County.  They are currently searching for land on which to build a clinic.  DACAB is a 501(c)3 charitable organization registered with the New Mexico Charitable Organization Regristry.

For more information, call Keith Spiller at 575-547-2868, email keith@dacab.org, or see the web site www.dacab.org.  Mail can be sent to DACAB, PO Box 221, Datil,
NM 87821

Pie Town Library Hours – The Summer hours at the Pie Town Library 1-3 pm each Thursday at the Pie Town Community Center.  (From Ruth Hanrahan)

AUGUST

Saturday,August 27th, 3 p.m. at the Pie Town Community center: The Meeting of the Catron County Historical Society will be held featuring Guest speaker, CCHS Member and Author Dixie Boyle who will talking about her book “ Highway 60 and the Belen Cutoff”. This should be a very interesting talk including the history of Hwy 60 and the towns along that route including some that no longer exist. Ms. Boyle will also share stories from her book about such caricatures as Eleanor Williams, a champion bronc  rider and truck driver, who settled near Quemado; Maude Medders who was captured by Poncho Villa and later married and settled near Mountainaire; and Harmon Craig, who is responsible for giving Pie Town it’s name. Please Join us!

SEPTEMBER

Friday September 2nd – please note  times for Catron Food Pantries Food Fair and Commodities – Datil, Horse Mountain ,Luna, Pie Town and Quemado. All recipients must sign in during the following times: Every First Friday of the month Datil 9:30 to 11:00,Horse Mt 10:30 to 12:00, Pie town 12:30 to 2:00,Quemado 1:00 to 2:30.
Every Fourth Wednesday at Luna 12:30 to 2:00.  All households must be recertified for income/ residence eligibility requirements as of July 1,2011.

Saturda  September 3rd 10 am-4:oo pm Fur and Feather Animal Assistance, Inc.  OPEN HOUSE  Normally it is necessary to have an appointment to come see the facility and/or  adopt but on the third we will be open for company.  Please come see all the improvements and how happy all the animals are.

LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AND SERVICES –
If you have a local business or service you would like me to list – please send me the details.  Keep those accurate events coming my way, I will get them out! (Ann Fillion booklady@gilanet.com).
We now have our own feed store in Datil! DATIL FEED, located next to the post office carries all your animal needs – feed, hay, & Vet supplies for dogs, cats, horses, cattle, chickens, and all other livestock or pets.  Lora says that if they don’t have it, they’ll try to get it for you.   Hours of operation TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY 9am-5pm.   575-772-5177
Debbie Smith, who did the awesome herb and essential oils talks here in Datil,  has the following summer special available:
Starlight Essentials is offering a 25% off sale on all of our cosmetic face & body oils. Stay hydrated and moisturized during this dry spell! Each 4oz bottle of oil is now priced at $7.50 and you have a wide selection to choose from. Contact Debbie at 575 -772-5240, or at starlightessentials@gilanet.com

Catron County Job Posting –
I am looking for someone to stay at my Pie Town RV park and to run it for me. I live just 3 miles off hwy 60. I have full hookups, electricity, and septic. Must be the right person. Please email: pietowngirl@gmail.comor call 575-418-7616.

Fur and Feather Animal Assistance, Inc- Permanent Residential Facility for Dogs and Cats  Adoptions and Limited Intake for Lost and Abandoned Animals
Laurie Beauchamp, Pie Town, NM, 575-772-2661.

Have you heard of HUNGRY HOUNDS (AND CATS TOO)? A Datil group that can help those in need of assistance with:  DOG OR CAT FOOD, Pet Medications, Spay/Neuter costs.  Call to apply – Pat 575-772-5106 or Fran 843-509-4219.  Email:  hungryhounds@aol.com  Donations are greatly appreciated.

ROUTE 60 RECYCLING – David Brown is accepting RECYCLING on Saturdays at the Datil Flea Market.  He arrives around 9:30am. David’s phone number is 772-5646.

Land buy opportunities in Quemado.

GOVERNOR SUSANA MARTINEZ KICKS OFF TAX-FREE WEEKEND

Gross Receipts Tax Exemption Will Make it Easier for Teachers and Families to Purchase School Supplies from August 5-7

SANTA FE – Governor Susana Martinez kicked off New Mexico’s tax-free weekend today with a visit to Target in Santa Fe along with several children who are part of summer programs at the Santa Fe Boys and Girls Club. The tax-free weekend, which will take place from August 5th through 7th, will give teachers and families the ability to purchase back-to-school supplies at a lower cost thanks to a Gross Receipts Tax exemption. Tax-free weekend generally applies to school supplies, clothing and shoes, and computers and computer equipment. Governor Martinez was also joined by Public Education Secretary-designate Hanna Skandera, Higher Education Secretary Jose Garcia, and Taxation and Revenue Deputy Secretary John Monforte.
“The beginning of the school year can be an expensive time for parents, teachers and students,” said Governor Martinez. “In these challenging economic times, this weekend will provide much-needed relief for New Mexicans as our children return to school. Most importantly, it will give them the opportunity to get the supplies they need for a successful school year at a lower cost than usual.”

Items that qualify for this gross receipts exemption include:

  • School supplies
  • Clothing and shoes $100 and under
  • Computers $1,000 and under; and
  • Associated computer equipment $500 and under

A full list of exempt products can be found on the Taxation and Revenue Department’s website at http://www.tax.newmexico.gov.

Fort Stanton Live 2011

Fort Stanton

Have you ever been on a Lantern Tour of Fort Stanton?

Held in conjunction with Old Lincoln Days, Fort Stanton will hold a very special Lantern Tour on Friday, August 5th, 2011. 150 years ago, Confederate forces occupied Fort Stanton for a short period of time, and to commemorate this historical event, the 2011 Fort Stanton Lantern Tour will bring a portion of this occupation to life during us annual Lantern Tour program. Join us as Confederate forces return from patrols, perform picket duties, plan for the next day’s activities and many other historically appropriate vignettes that will bring the Civil War experience at Fort Stanton to life.

Friday, August 5th–Lantern Tours. Limited to 20 people per tour.

Fort Stanton Museum Hosts Fort Stanton Live, Saturday, August 6th, 8:00 am to 8:00 pm and Sunday, August 7, 8:00 am to 12:00 noon.

Fort Stanton Live Schedule of Events (PDF 126 Kb). Events are subject to change.

If you are looking for action, look no further than Fort Stanton on August 6th & 7th when the Fort Stanton Live! comes back to Lincoln County!  Fort Stanton Live! brings costumed re-enactors from the Civil War and Indian Wars era to the Fort for demonstrations, presentations, and a candlelight tour on Friday night!  Additionally, the event brings presenters, storytellers, and a variety of historical vendors to site to share their crafts and other handiwork.  Special tours of the WW II internment camp are also available – so that one can take a peak back at one of the most important chapters in world history.   Local food vendors are on hand to provide sustenance for your day at the Fort as well, so bring a healthy appetite for knowledge, food and fun.   We are especially pleased to bring back the Flying J Wranglers and the Rich Chorne Band for you entertainment.   Drew Gomber and the Mescalero Dancers will be on hand, along with kids games, the tomahawk throw, and authors Don Bullis, Gary Cozzens, and Dr. Walter Pittman signing thee work about local & New Mexico history.   In addition, several buildings will be open for visitors to rediscover including the historic stables.

So be sure to go online to buy your tickets for the Lantern Tour or call 575.354.0341 for more information.   Tickets for the Lantern Tour and the event are separately $5 each, but people 15 and under are admitted without charge.  Event Hours are 6:00 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. on Friday for the Lantern Tour; 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, and 8:00 a.m. to Noon on Sunday.   On Sunday there will be special historic church services delivered at 8:30, 10:00, and 11:30 a.m.   Seats are limited so be sure you get out to Fort Stanton next weekend, August 6th & 7th for Fort Stanton Live!

Fort Stanton, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to assist in the development and operations of the Fort Stanton State Monument which is owned and operated by the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, Monuments Division.  From April 1 through November 30, the Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Thursday through Saturday, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Monday.   The Museum will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesdays.  There is no fee to visit the Museum, but donations are appreciated.

 

 

A Lucky Winner Will Celebrate the 40th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta With a Free Vacation in October

This and other spectacular views await you at the 40th celebration of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta(R) October 1-9, 2011. One lucky winner will get a $2,650 trip to Albuquerque during this fall's event including admission passes, balloon flights, VIP treatment, hotel, souvenir jackets and more. Enter at www.ItsATrip.org/BalloonContest. This year, "The Greatest Show Off Earth" will capture the imagination of visitors far and wide with nine days of festivities to celebrate 40 years. (PRNewsFoto/Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau)

 

Have you ever wondered what 500 hot air balloons look like in the sky? Always wanted to fly in a hot air balloon? Well, now is your chance! You could win a trip to Albuquerque, New Mexico this October for the 40th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta celebration.

The 2011 theme, “The Greatest Show Off Earth,” captures the magic of one of the most photographed events in the world. What began as a radio promotion in 1972, with 13 balloons in attendance, has grown to more than 500 balloons each year flying for nine days and takes place October 1-9, 2011.

As summer comes to a close, now is the time to plan a fall getaway to the awe-inspiring Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®. Better yet, enter to win a trip for two October 5-8, 2011. The getaway is valued at more than $2,650 including:

  • Three nights at Albuquerque Sheraton Uptown
  • Hot air balloon rides with Rainbow Ryders Hot Air Balloon Company on October 6, 2011
  • Three days admission to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® with Gondola Club Hospitality Suite VIP access
  • Admission to the Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum
  • Two official Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® jackets
  • $200 Visa Card to be used toward airfare, gas or shopping

Visit www.ItsATrip.org/ballooncontest to enter the sweepstakes by August 25th.

For nine days each October, the skies above Albuquerque are filled with color as 500+ balloons float over the city’s high desert landscape. Besides enjoying the spectacle of Mass Ascensions, Balloon Glows, Special Shapes, and exciting hot air and gas balloon competitions, hundreds of booths offer a taste of local cuisine, arts and crafts from across the country. The event is action-packed and so is the city. Festivities and special events take place throughout Albuquerque, so plan extra time to take it all in.

Learn more about Visiting Albuquerque on Facebook (www.facebook.com/visitAlbuquerque) or Twitter: @see_albuquerque or @balloonfiesta.

The mission of the Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau is to stimulate economic growth by marketing Albuquerque as a visitor and convention destination. For information, call 505.842.9918, visit www.ItsATrip.org , Facebook http://www.facebook.com/visitAlbuquerque or Twitter http://twitter.com/see_albuquerque .

Ruidoso Art Festival July

Arte en la Charreria

The Hubbard Museum of the American West in Ruidoso Downs is hosting “Arte en la Charrería: The Artisanship of Mexican Equestrian Culture,” through September 23, 2011.

The very essence of the Mexican experience is exemplified by the culture of the charro, or Mexican cowboy. It is a rich legacy of tradition and valor, of honor and custom, of war and peace. To be a charro means to identify with a nearly 500-year-old heritage dating back to the introduction of horses and cattle to the New World.

The Hubbard Museum of the American West is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Admission is $6 for adults, and reduced admission is available for senior citizens, military personnel, and youth.