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
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.
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."
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."
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."
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.
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.
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.
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
Brand new and ready for you - it's the Lodge at Santa Fe/Georgia O’Keeffe Museum Package Giveaway. The Lodge at Santa Fe, located one mile from the Historic Plaza, features guestrooms and suites beautifully decorated in a unique New Mexican style, heated swimming pool, hot pool, fitness center and complimentary shuttle service.
The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum is devoted to the work of the American artist Georgia O’Keeffe, and since its opening in 1997, it has become one of the most popular museums in New Mexico. The package includes:
Enter today click here to go to the entrance form ...
The New Mexico Tourism Department is offering a new and exciting selection of apparel in its Santa Fe Visitor Information Center.
Stop in and browse the beautiful new selection of embroidered shirts, vests, cinch bags, hats, and more, in addition to the standard clothing and gift line.