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New Mexico February 2009 E-Newsletter Articles

Welcome.

As Secretary of the New Mexico Tourism Department, I welcome you to New Mexico, a truly diverse destination. The ski areas are booming and winter festivities are in full swing, but spring will soon be upon us. Come celebrate a season like no other in a place like no other: New Mexico, your Land of Enchantment.

Michael Cerletti

San Ildefonso Pueblo Re-establishes Historic Cottonwood Trading Post

The San Ildefonso Pueblo Enterprise Corporation has announced the re-establishment of the historic Trading Post at San Ildefonso Pueblo, naming it the Cottonwood Trading Post.

The Cottonwood Trading Post features the work of nearly 60 New Mexico pueblo artists, including 33 from San Ildefonso, who continue to follow the traditional art of pottery making for which San Ildefonso has a well-deserved international reputation.

San Ildefonso is one of the best known New Mexico Pueblos because of the famous black-on-black pottery which originated there and which was revived in the 1920s. At that time San Ildefonso, like many other Pueblos, was suffering a severe economic depression. Long standing internal conflicts, encroachment upon tribal lands by squatters and illegal cutting of timber all contributed to the low-subsistence level to which the Pueblo had fallen. When American Indian crafts began to be popular with collectors, it was fortunate for the San Ildefonso people, because although the Pueblo population was small, there were a number of skilled artisans, makers of pottery and painters, who set to work to improve the economic condition of the Pueblo. Before long, the outstanding quality of San Ildefonso pottery became known. It was then that the famous black pots were revived, primarily because of Maria Martinez, who is credited for creating the pottery style for which San Ildefonso Pueblo is most known..

Today, they command the respect of world-wide collectors of fine art. Other artists, potters and watercolor painters came to the attention of the public and although the Pueblo is one of the smallest in population, it is among the best known, averaging more than 20,000 visitors each year.

Cottonwood Trading Post has long been a part of San Ildefonso Pueblo's history throughout the years. Although ownership has changed over the years – now owned by the San Ildefonso Pueblo Enterprise Corporation - the past is ever-present in the memories of its artists and visitors. The trading post has been remodeled and updated with the times, but original beams of the grocery store and trading post are still in place.

The Cottonwood Trading Post buys, sells, and trades authentic Native American pottery, paintings, jewelry, dance goods and more.

San Ildefonso is located on State Road 502, 15 miles north of Santa Fe on US 84/285. The Cottonwood Trading Post is open daily, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Call 505-455-1453 or 505-455-2273.

Rio Rancho’s annual Pork & Brew Named Among Nation’s
Top Events by American Bus Association

Rio Rancho’s sixth annual Pork & Brew BBQ State Championship – complete with live entertainment, fun jumps, pig races, kids’ corral, and, of course, food galore – is March 27-28, 2009, at the Santa Ana Star Center in the Rio Rancho City Center.

Times are noon-9 p.m. Friday March 27, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday March 28. For those interested in judging at the next Pork & Brew at the Main Tent at the Santa Ana Star Center contact Art Perez at 888-746-7262 or email aperez@ci.rio-rancho.nm.us. For a complete schedule of the 2009 event, visit http://www.rioranchonm.org/

“The Pork & Brew has quickly become one of New Mexico’s favorite annual events,” said Michael Cerletti, Secretary of the New Mexico Tourism Department, “entertaining both family, friends and visitors year after year. The folks in Rio Rancho are to be commended for their efforts in creating such a popular attraction.”

The Pork & Brew BBQ State Championships is one of the best 100 events in the nation for 2009, according to the American Bus Association.

Inclusion in the Top 100 list, published as a supplement to the September/October issue of Destinations magazine, means Rio Rancho’s Pork & Brew “offers excellent entertainment value to both tour groups and individual travelers from around the world,” said ABA officials.

With the release of the American Bus Association’s 2009 Top 100 Events in North America, ABA celebrates 27 years of the Top 100 Events. What began as a way for motor coach operators to incorporate new product into their itineraries has grown to one of the most sought-after lists by travel professionals and the general public.

The Pork & Brew is sponsored by the Rio Rancho Convention & Visitors Bureau, and is a fully sanctioned Kansas City BBQ Society event - one of the top 10 events on the Society calendar. With more than 30,000 in attendance last year, Pork & Brew has become one of the largest two-day events in New Mexico. Winners go on to participate in Kansas City, KS at the Nationals.

For more information visit http://www.rioranchonm.org/

Calling All Dutch Oven Cooks

Come to cook, come to watch, or just come to eat- with the happy crowd at the Southwest New Mexico seventh annual Dutch Oven Cook-Off March 28 in Glenwood, New Mexico!

The event is at the Glenwood Community Park on Cat Walk Road in Glenwood, located on State Road 180 an hour north of Silver City.

Glenwood’s Dutch Oven Cook-Off was first started by Wendy Peralta, owner of the Glenwood Trading Post, in 2003. Each year since, the event has grown --- in size, number of cooks, and fun. This event is reminiscent of the old days when members of small communities would gather for shared food and “visiting.”

In the past this event has attracted cooks from Glenwood, Cliff, Gila, Reserve, Albuquerque, Cuba, Las Cruces and Silver City and communities in Arizona.

Everyone is welcome to enter, no matter where you call home. If you need overnight lodging, there are several unique motels in Glenwood.

Those interested in entering as a Dutch Oven Cook this year, contact event organizers Leah Jones, Glenwood, 575-539-2800 or leahj@starband.net; Linda Locklar, Silver City, lindamanyponies@hotmail.com; or Zana Wood, Las Cruces, 575-805-7170 or loschilehead@msn.com

Cooking categories are one pot or three pots (Main Dish, Bread, or Dessert). Cooks can enter on their own, or as a team. Entry fee is $ 15 for a single pot or $30 for three pots.

Cooks can set up their camp and start their fires at 8 a.m. March 28. Some entrants bring cowboy-camp setups, teepees and tents, and one entry even drives a mule-drawn chuckwagon to camp. The Glenwood Park features shady trees and open spaces for camp set-ups.

There will be a cooks’ meeting at 9:45 a.m. Cooking time is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., during which time spectators always enjoy going from camp to camp, getting to know the cooks.

Judging is done on presentation, taste and cleanliness. Around 3 pm, Dutch Oven cooks bring their pots to the Pavilion, where visitors can purchase Taster Plates ($5 for adults, $2 for children under age 12). Each Dutch Oven cook will put a spoonful of their dish on each plate, and there are usually about 30-40 different dishes on the buffet line.

Musicians will entertain on this special day, and invite others to join in the fun!

Tables and benches are provided for the diners, and after everyone is served, awards and prizes are presented to the winning cooks. Proceeds from this event each year go toward the upkeep of the Glenwood Community Park.

Cloudcroft’s Mardi Gras Celebration Features Family Fun

The Sacramento Mountains come alive with the sounds of down-home style Mardi Gras in the Clouds celebration February 20-22, 2009 in Cloudcroft.

The event offers all the fun of the traditional Mardi Gras festivities of New Orleans in a friendly, family-oriented atmosphere.

“Cloudcroft’s Mardi Gras in the Clouds may be one of New Mexico’s most unique annual festivals,” said Michael Cerletti, Secretary of the New Mexico Tourism Department. “The folks in Cloudcroft are never at a loss when it comes to discovering new, innovative ways to spend quality time with family and friends.”

The festivities kick-off Friday (Feb. 20) with the introduction of the reigning King & Queen of Mardi Gras followed by a Cajun Cooking contest. The fun continues throughout the evening with a Fais-Do-Do (dance) in the “Red Dog Saloon” at The Lodge at Cloudcroft, featuring entertainment and contests.

Saturday (Feb. 21) festivities include shopping, food vendors, activities and entertainment. The official Mardi Gras Parade is followed by more entertainment and dancing.

Mardi Gras wraps up Sunday (Feb. 22) with vendors, activities and entertainment including cakewalks, bingo and more.

“Mardi Gras in Cloudcroft is rapidly becoming an alternative event for families in the southwest,” said Jason Baldwin, executive director of the Cloudcroft Chamber of Commerce. “Everyone in the village joins in to create a wholesome fun-filled Mardi Gras experience.”

For more information visit www.cloudcroft.net, call 1-866-874-4447
or write george@cloudcroft.net

Red River Celebrates ‘Mardi Gras in the Mountains’

Not to be outdone, the Town of Red River also knows how to celebrate Mardi Gras, with daily parades with colorful floats, krewes in costume tossing Mardi Gras beads, live Creole music, and spicy Cajun cooking. The event is February 19-24, 2009.

Activities include:

Feb 19: Burning of the Wild Tchoupitoula at the Motherlode Saloon; Cajun Feast at the Motherlode Saloon; and entertainment at various locations.
Feb. 20: Parade & bead toss at the ski area with live music; the World’s Smallest, but Most Fun Mardi Gras Night Parade on Main Street; and entertainment at various locations.
Feb. 21: Parade & bead toss at the ski area; Red River Brewery Showcase at the Lift House; Conference Center Carnival & Mardi Gras Expo; Kids Costume Contest at the Conference Center; Crawfish Boil at the Bull O’ the Woods Saloon; Grand Ball Costume Contest at Lift’s West; and entertainment at various locations.
Feb. 22: Noon - Parade & bead toss at the ski area; Cajun Air Force at the ski area; and Children’s Ball at the Black Mtn. Playhouse.
Feb 23: Parade & bead toss at the ski area; Downhill Gator Race at the ski area; and Ball at the Lift House.
Fat Tuesday Feb 24: Bead toss & music at the ski area; Legendary Cajun Cook-off Potluck; and Fat Tuesday Pirate’s Ball at the Lift House.

This year's theme is “Hollywood,” so get ready to be dazzled.

Contact the Red River Chamber of Commerce, 800-348-6444 ext. 1 or 575- 754-2366 ext. 1 or visit http://www.redrivernewmex.com/

Cowboy Days Rides into Las Cruces

Nothing Says the Old West like the cowboy, and the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum honors the western legend with a weekend festival complete with roping and riding demonstrations, “cowboy food,” dancing, and cowboy poetry March 14-15, 2009. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days.

The two-day festival also includes gunfight re-enactments, cowboy food, children's activities, arts and crafts vendors and much more. The festivities begin each day with a cowboy breakfast 8-10 a.m. Tickets are $9 in advance and $10 on the morning of the breakfast. People who buy breakfast tickets get free admission into Cowboy Days. Cowboy Days-only tickets are $2 per person.

Call the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum, 575-522-4100 or visit www.frhm.org.

Fiery Foods Show Heats up Sandia Resort

The 21st annual National Fiery Foods & Barbecue Show February 27-March 1, 2009 - now in its fourth year at the Sandia Resort and Casino Events Center - is going to be the biggest ever.

This unique show attracts attendees and buyers from around the globe and more than 10,000 general public attendance. Exhibitors in the show can take advantage of this opportunity to meet and greet new buyers, introduce their line of products or services, and reaffirm their commitments to their current customers who will be attending the show.

Public show hours are Feb. 27 (4-7p.m.), Feb. 28 (11 a.m.-7 p.m.) and March 1 (11 a.m.-6 p.m.) Admission is $10 in advance through Ticketmaster or $15 at the door; and $5 for children ages 17 and younger. Parking is free at Sandia Resort and Casino, which is located just east off the I-25 at Tramway Exit north of Albuquerque.

Upcoming Events

Don’t forget to mark you calendar for these upcoming events:

February 2009
21 Evening with Lucille Ball, Spencer Theater –www.spencertheater.com
21 Fort’s Day, El Camino Real International Center – 575-854-3600
21-22 Art-I-Gras, Ruidoso – 575-257-7272
24 Mardi Gras Celebrations, Angel Fire – 800-633-7463
27-28 NMSU, Jack Ward Invitational Choral Festival – 575-646-1420

March 2009
6-8 Quay County Arts Festival, Tucumcari – 575-461-9679
7 Camp Furlong Day, Columbus (Pancho Villa State Park)
8 Pancho Villa Raid, Deming – 575-531-2711
13-15 Rio Grande Arts and Crafts Show, EXPO NM
16 Raymond & Ramona Feast Day, Santo Domingo Pueblo
19 St. Joseph’s Feast Day, Laguna Pueblo
20 Western Regional Judo Championship – 888-746-7262
24 Grand Derangement, Raton’s Schuler Theater – 575-445-2052
27 New Mexico Appreciation Day, Angel Fire Resort – 800-633-7463
27 Crystal Gayle – Spencer Theater – www.spencer.theater.com
28 UFO Symposium, Aztec – www.aztecufo.com