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With an area rich in culture, food and traditions, it is not surprising fiestas and festivals are such an important part of the area. Some provide remarkable offerings, like the World’s Largest Enchilada, while others provide historic celebrations. Whatever they have to offer, you can be sure to find a favorite fiesta. To help, the following are a few of the biggest and best fiestas and festivals in Southern New Mexico through the end of the year.
HATCH CHILE FESTIVAL
September 1&2
 Chile, chile everywhere. Welcome to a festival that highlights an absolute favorite food for so many of us. Known as the “Chile Capital of the World,” Hatch cultivates 30,000 acres of chile each harvest, and celebrates each Labor Day Weekend with the Hatch Chile Festival, this year titled “Chile Capital of the Universe.” The festival is clearly popular, bringing in more than 30,000 chile-lovers rain or shine. In fact, chile lovers flocked to Hatch last year when the village of Hatch was hit hard by heavy flooding. With the downtown area under several feet of water prior to the festival and chile farmers having a difficult time getting to the harvest, the village worked together and held the festival as planned – after cleaning up the
flood damage. If the dedication of festival coordinators and participants is not enough to get people there, being featured on cable TV’s Food Network channel in 2004 is. The festival made it big-time, nearly doubling its attendance with the national recognition. Head on over this Labor Day Weekend for chile roasting, chile contests, chile parades and of course, chile eating.
Info: Admittance is free.
505.267.5050 or www.hatchchilefest.com
HILLSBORO APPLE FESTIVAL
September 1-3
After you heat up your mouth with some chile, head on over to Hillsboro to cool down at the annual Apple Festival. Hillsboro is famous for apples and country hospitality, which makes this Labor Day Weekend treat even better. Hosting hundreds of booths, arts and crafts and samplings of everything from apple smoked BBQ to “appleade,” the apple festival highlights a town often known for a rich history of saloons, mining and high profile court cases, including that of the three alleged killers of Col. Albert J. Fountain who were acquitted of his 1896 murder. The town, like Hatch, is no stranger to rain. During the 1972 Apple Festival, a flash flood with walls of water that reached 12-feet high crashed through the town at midnight, killing four. While community members struggled to deal with the deaths, they also began to rebuild a town where seven businesses and 13 homes were destroyed, leaving behind hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of damages. While the flood of 1972 hurt, it did not ruin, and the Apple Festival grows by leaps and bounds every year.
Info: Admittance is free.
505.895.5686
DIEZ Y SEIS DE SEPTIEMBRE FIESTA
 September 15&16
Diez y Seis de Septiembre, or the 16th of September, in 1810 was a brand new day for Mexico, marking the launch of Mexico’s struggle for independence from Spain. Miguel Hidalgo de Costilla led the first large revolutionary force against the Spaniards, leading men, women and children around Mexico to celebrate the holiday, which is similar to July 4 in the U.S. Knowing how to do it right, Old Mesilla brings out the festivities each year to celebrate Mexican Independence Day at the Mesilla Plaza. With folklorico dances, mariachi music and authentic Mexican cuisine, the festival brings in tourists from around the world.
Info: Held in the Mesilla Plaza, admittance is free.
505.524.3262 or www.oldmesilla.org
NEW MEXICO WINE HARVEST FESTIVAL
September 1-3
 Want a little wine with your festival? Try the annual New Mexico Wine Harvest Festival. The festival offers all the things we love about celebrating in the Southwest – arts and crafts, children’s activities, fry bread (and other foods we only eat at festivals) and live entertainment. Chile is in abundance, recipes are requested and it’s okay to sit back and relax. This festival adds something else – wine tasting from area wineries, including places like Luna Rossa, Arena Blanca and La Viña Wineries. Don’t feel like sitting on the side? Join in on daily grape stomping.
Info: The festival is held at the Southern New Mexico State Fairgrounds from noon - 6 p.m. each day. Ticket prices are $13 for adults 21 and older, and under 21 are free but must be accompanied by parent or legal guardian. There is a $3 discount for active duty military on Monday.
505.522.1232 or www.nmwine.com or Dawn@HelpingHandsEvents.com
THE WHOLE ENCHILADA FIESTA
September 28-30
For the past 26 years, Las Cruces has been home to a pretty big enchilada big, in fact, it received recognition Guinness Book of World Records in England. For recognition that big, it makes sense to have a three-day fiesta celebrate! The fiesta is centered on making of the enchilada, which measures over 30 feet in diameter and is filled 75 gallons of red chile sauce, 175 poundsof grated cheese and 50 pounds of chopped onions. For an enchilada that big, chef and founder of the fiesta, Robert V. Estrada designed and made tortilla press to cook 750 pounds of ground corn to make the masa tortillas, tortilla carrying plate, a cooking vat serving plate. It takes approximately and a half hours, from start to finish, make the enchilada. While the enchilada is popular, it’s not all that draws more than 100,000 visitors each year. The fiesta includes arts and crafts, a parade, entertainment, beer tent and culural from around the state. Held on the Downtown Mall, some call it the biggest block party in the state.
Info: Admittance is free.
505.526.1938
OTHER EVENTS TO CHECK OUT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally
Held the Third Weekend of January
New Mexico is the hot air ballooning capital of the world. Many balloon pilots consider Las Cruces the most desirable place to fly.
Southern New Mexico State Fair
First Weekend in October
Held at the Southern New Mexico State Fair Grounds this major regional fair offers livestock & agriculture exhibits, baking contests, a rodeo, entertainment, great southwestern food, a carnival, games & rides.
International Mariachi ConferenceEvents in Las Cruces
Second Weekend in November
Pan American Center
The Annual Las Cruces International Mariachi Conference celebrates 150 years of cultural traditions. Scheduled for 4 days, the conference focuses on educational workshops in Mariachi Music and Folkloric Dance. Saturday Spectacular Concert featuring top name performers.
Cinco de Mayo
Held the First Weekend in MayEvents in Las Cruces
The fiesta marks the victory of the Mexican army over the French in 1862. A resistance army of 5,000 ill-equipped Mestizo and Zapotee Indians defeated the superior French army on the 5th of May. Today Cinco de Mayo is a day of celebration and takes place on the Old Mesilla Plaza over two days. The fiesta features dancers, Mariachis, crafts, games, food vendors and other entertainment for dancing.
Cowboy Days
Third Weekend in OctoberEvents in Las Cruces
NM Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum Annual event celebrates the American Cowboy and his counterpart the Mexican Vaquero with music performances, exhibits, roping and live stock demonstrations, blacksmithing, and chuck wagon cooking.
The Renaissance Craft Faire
First Weekend in November
Young Park, Las Cruces
Each year the Queen and her court call forth throughout the realm for all to come to Young Park to celebrate, play and feast. This is the finest and largest Renaissance Faire in the Southwest. The event features over 100 quality crafts booths, main stage entertainment and minstrels in the park, games, contests, and a large selection of food vendors. |
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