New Mexico's summer season is in full swing, jam packed with outdoor adventure, unique festivals and cultural activities that beg for attention. As Secretary of the New Mexico Tourism Department, I welcome you to New Mexico, a place like no other.
Michael Cerletti
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is once again offering daily scenic train rides over the scenic San Juan Mountains between Chama, New Mexico and Antonito, Colorado. In addition to the daily scheduled scenic train rides the C&TS RR is offering specials, including a whole slate of exciting Rail Packages for the fun-seeking tourist and train aficionado.
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad provides a unique train ride experience. This historic narrow-gauge 1880s train appeals to folks of all ages, to train lovers of all levels and types, to tourists wanting to experience and see the beauty of the area, to historians wanting a true 1880s experience.
Eastern Navajo silversmiths, weavers, sand painters, sculptors, painters, bead workers and other artists and artisans will exhibit and sell their original creations during the sixth annual Torreon/Star Lake Arts & Crafts Festival in Torreon on the Navajo Indian Nation Saturday (June 13, 2009), beginning at 9 a.m. and ending at sundown. Admission is free.
Besides being lots of fun and a great family outing, the annual Eastern Navajo Arts & Crafts Festival also gives non-Navajos a unique opportunity to learn first-hand something about life in a typical high-desert, Navajo community far off the beaten track.
"RENEW 09: Empowering the Land" Conference and Expo, at the Tucumcari Convention Center in Tucumcari June 23 -24, 2009, will highlight and feature many new and exciting developments in renewable energy.
Designed as a "nuts and bolts" conference for anyone looking to prosper from the emerging renewable energy economy, the two-day conference will feature major industry thought leaders, top governmental officials and landowners sharing best-practices for developing facility-scale and utility-scale renewable energy projects.
"Georgia O'Keeffe: Beyond Our Shores," whichis a selection of seldom-seen Georgia O'Keeffe works that were inspired by her travels outside of the United States, is a featured exhibition at the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe through September 20, 2009.
Her travels included Bermuda (1933 and 1934),Hawaiibefore it became part of the United States(1939),Peru(1957), and Asia(1959 and 1960).These works have never before been exhibited together, and among them is a recent gift to the museum from a private collector of the oil painting, White Bird of Paradise,1939.O'Keeffe completed it when in Hawaiiin 1939 as a guest of the Dole Pineapple Company that had commissioned her to make paintings for its advertising campaigns.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is open on its expanded schedule through Labor Day, September 7. Visitors may enter the Natural Entrance route from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and the Big Room route from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tour times are established to allow ample time for visitors to exit the cave before the 7 p.m. closing.
The park also offers eight ranger-guided tours daily of Carlsbad Caverns and other park caves. The Kings' Palace tour is offered at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Various adventure tours, and guided tours away from paved trails and electric lights are also available. Group size is limited, and age restrictions may apply. Reservations are required for guided tours and can be made online at www.recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777.
The Youth National Arabian and Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show comes to Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque for the 17th time, July 25 – August 1, 2009. The event, which has become a summer staple for the Albuquerque community, attracts thousands of the country’s best Arabian, Half-Arabian and Anglo-Arabian show horses to the fairgrounds for eight days of mixed disciplines, including English pleasure, dressage, side saddle, working cow horse, working hunter and mounted native costume.
Taos, New Mexico will once again offer a true feast for the senses when art galleries, restaurants, vintners of the Southwest and incredible scenery join forces during the fourth annual Toast of Taos festival July 2-11, 2009.
The festival – a benefit of the Holy Cross Hospital Foundation – includes wine tastings, a juried wine competition, gallery tours, wine dinners, and auctions. Holy Cross Hospital Foundation, founded in 1976, is a non-profit volunteer organization that raises money to support the hospital in its work improving the health of the residents of Taos County by purchasing new equipment for Holy Cross Hospital. This year, the profits will help the hospital pay for its new digital mammogram machine.
Officials from the New Mexico Spaceport Authority have scheduled a private groundbreaking ceremony of Spaceport America, the world's first purpose-built commercial spaceport, for Friday, June 19
"The realization of Spaceport America is upon us. New Mexico has been working towards this end for decades," said NMSA Executive Director Steve Landeene. "When we turn that first shovel of soil, we will be breaking ground on a whole new future for the people of New Mexico and their children. This is a significant step in the history and future of spaceflight." Landeene's staff is working to develop a schedule of events and activities to make the groundbreaking enjoyable and memorable for all in attendance.
The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science and the New Mexico Museum of Space History have come together to create the exhibition, "Space Frontiers."
"Space Frontiers" features the rich heritage and exciting future of space exploration in New Mexico. From ancient Native American observatories at Chaco Canyon to modern day facilities such as the Very Large Array astronomical radio observatory, New Mexico's clear skies and high altitudes have provided an ideal location to study the heavens.
American Eagle Airlines will begin air service between Roswell and Los Angeles International Airport on August. 25, with four flights per week in each direction.
Flights to Los Angeles' LAX will depart Roswell at 7 a.m. and arrive in Los Angeles at 8:15 a.m. on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Flights from Los Angeles to Roswell will depart at 2:55 p.m. and arrive at 6:55 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday.
Relax and rejuvenate your souls and senses as winners of the Best of Northern New Mexico Sweepstakes Giveaway.
This incredible five day/four night package allows you to enjoy the best in Taos hotel accommodations and dining; a never-to-be-forgotten ride on the historic Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad; and a wilderness adventure in picturesque Chama.
Your Best of Northern New Mexico Adventure will leave you with memories of adventure that will last a lifetime.
The prize is only valid for use August 3-7 2009, as it is a special deal provided by the promotional partners.
June 2009 Events
19-20 Chama Music Festival - www.newmexico.org
20 Albuquerque Folk Festival - www.abqfolkfest.org
Juneteenth Celebration, Clovis - www.clovisnm.org
20-21 Heritage Days, Portales - 800-635-8036 or www.portales.com
23-24 Pueblo Feast Days, Ohkay Owingeh, Santa Ana, Santo Domingo and Taos pueblos - indianpueblo.org
25-27 Raton Rodeo - 575-445-3689
26-27 Tatum 100-Year Celebration - 505-398-2011
July 2009 Events
2-5 4th of July Fiesta, Las Vegas - lvsmchamber.org
Electric Parade, Las Cruces - 575-528-3170
3-5 Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally, Raton - 575-445-3689
4 Smokey Bear Fun Run, Capitan - 575-354-2273
World’s Greatest Lizard Race, Lovington - 575-396-5311
International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally - 575-445-3689
Wine Festival, El Rancho de las Golondrinas - 505-471-2261
11-12 July Jamboree Arts & Crafts Fair, Cloudcroft - 866-874-4447
Santa Fe International Folk Art Market - www.folkartmarket.org
11-16 San Juan River Balloon Rally, 505-632-0880
14 St. Bonaventure Feast Day, Cochiti and Santo Domingo pueblos - indianpueblo.org
17-19 Fire & Ice Bike Rally, Grants - fireandicebikerally.com
18-19 Little Beaver Celebration, Jicarilla Apache Reservation - newmexico.org
19-25 National High School Finals Rodeo, Farmington - 800-448-1240
24-25 Chama Cowboy Days - 575-756-1085
25 Santiago Day Corn Dance, Taos Pueblo - taospueblo.com
St. James Feast Day, Santo Domingo Pueblo - 505-465-2214
25-27 Zia Art Festival, Ruidoso - ruidosnow.com
26 Santa Ana Feast Day, Taos and Laguna pueblos - indianpueblo.org
25-26 Traditional Spanish Market, Santa Fe - 505-982-2226
Contemporary Spanish Market, Santa Fe - elmuseocultural.org
26-27 High Country Arts & Crafts Festival, Eagle Nest - 505-344-2420
31 St. Anne's Feast Day, Laguna and Santo Domingo pueblos - indianpueblo.org
31-8/1 Guadalupe County Fair - 575-472-3652