ABQJOURNAL VENUE/TRAVEL: No need to travel far for the Fourth

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Sunday, June 21, 2009

No need to travel far for the Fourth

By Rick Nathanson
Journal Staff Writer
       Even if the economy is a bit depressed, the spirit of New Mexicans is certainly not — at least judging by the lengths to which communities around the state go to celebrate Independence Day.
    Parades, fireworks, food, music, car shows, sporting events, fun runs and art walks are all part of the festivities, depending on where a person winds up during the holiday weekend.
    Here then, is a rundown of many July Fourth celebrations taking place in selected communities around the state. Most of the events are free unless otherwise indicated.
    n ALAMOGORDO: Freedom Bike Rally, Alameda Park. Motorcycle show, barbecue cook-off and poker run. Night-time beer garden with food and live music. Fireworks display at dusk. July 5th sunrise service, pancake breakfast, blood drive and bike rally benefit run.
    n ALBUQUERQUE: Freedom 4th Celebration, Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Park. Gates open at 3 p.m. Children's activities, food vendors and live music, including the officially sanctioned Blues Brothers Review. Largest fireworks display in New Mexico. General admission $2, children under 12 free. Free on-site parking, free park-and-ride from Coronado Shopping Center and St. Pius X High School.
    n ARTESIA: 7 a.m., fun walk and run at Roberts Park; 9 a.m., parade through Downtown; 10 a.m., Downtown unveiling of final bronze statue in the "Cattledrive" series; 9:15 p.m., fireworks show, Jaycee Park.
    n CARLSBAD: 9 a.m., parade from Canyon Street to Beach Park. All-day celebration at Lake Carlsbad Recreation Area, with swimming and water activities, food vendors and fireworks over the Pecos River after sundown.
    n CLOUDCROFT: Daytime picnic at Zenith Park, nighttime street dance Downtown on Burro Street.
    n CLOVIS: Live music, games and food, Greene Acres Park. "Smoke on the Water" fireworks display at night.
    n ELEPHANT BUTTE STATE PARK: Fireworks display over the largest lake in New Mexico. Show begins at dusk from Rattlesnake Island. Park fees waived from 6-9 p.m.
    n EUNICE: July 3, street dance on Avenue J, 8 p.m.; July 4, 6-9 a.m., Lion's Club pancake breakfast at the community center, $5 per person. Parade starts 9 a.m., First Baptist Church parking lot to Marshall Park, site of all-day celebration with music, food vendors, children's activities, flea market and $10-per-ticket barbecue. Quilt show Downtown, car show in J.D.'s parking lot, and golf scramble at Eunice Golf Course at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sprint car racing at Speedway Car Track, 8 p.m., dance at American Legion Hall; 9 p.m., fireworks at Stephens Park after sunset.
    n FARMINGTON: "Freedom Days Celebration." July 2: Outdoor summer theater, Lion's Wilderness Park, "Annie Get Your Gun," 8 p.m. Tickets $10 adults, $7 seniors, $5 children 12 and under. July 3: Gem and Mineral Show at Farmington Civic Center, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (continues July 4 and 5); Yankee Doodle Auction and Food Fair followed by brass band concert, Gateway Park, starts 3:30 p.m.; fireworks display, Sullivan Hill, 9:15 p.m. July 4: Triathlon, Farmington Lake, 7 a.m.; volleyball tournament, Brookside Park, 8 a.m.; Webb Freedom Run motorcycle fun run, 10 a.m.; ninth annual Contest Pow-Wow, Native American gourd dancing and drum contest, Farmington High School, 11 a.m.-midnight (continues July 5); Freedom Days Electric Light Parade on West Main Street, 9 p.m.; fireworks at Bollack Ranch at dusk. July 5: Party in the Park, Brookside Park, noon-5:30 p.m., music, food vendors, children's activities.
    n GALLUP: Parade through Downtown Gallup starts 10:30 a.m., ends at Gallup Sports Complex, site of all-day party with arts and crafts, live music, food vendors, Native American dancing, rock climbing, game booths and children's activities.
    n GRANTS: Wild West Days rodeo, July 2-4, Grants Rodeo Grounds, $7 admission; Independence Day Celebration, City Hall Park, live music, street dance, vendor booths, children's activities, 4 p.m.-midnight July 3 and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. July 4; July Fourth, parade, 9 a.m., from Santa Fe Street (old Route 66) to First Street.
    n HOBBS: "Celebration of Veterans," Harry McAdams Park, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m., with live entertainment, children's activities and food vendors; Black Gold Casino party, 5 p.m., unveiling of New Mexico's largest green chile cheeseburger, 6 p.m., live music including an Eagles tribute band, and fireworks after sunset.
    n LAS VEGAS: July 1, Fiesta Queen Pageant, 7 p.m., Ilfeld Auditorium, New Mexico Highlands University campus; July 2-5, Las Vegas Fiestas, Plaza Park, vendor booths, live music; July 4, parade, 9 a.m., Sixth Street and Baca to Plaza Park; dusk, fireworks over NMHU golf course.
    n LOS ALAMOS: Firecracker fun run and walk, 8-11 a.m., start from YMCA; Kiwanis Club annual July Fourth celebration, Overlook Park, 2-10 p.m., live music, food vendors, children's activities and fireworks at sunset. $5 donation requested.
    n PORTALES: July 3 fireworks after sunset, Greyhound Arena, live music, children's activities, food vendor sales.
    n RIO RANCHO: Parade, starts 10 a.m. from Country Club Drive east on Southern to Pinetree Road, near Veterans Monument Park, followed by a ceremony marking the 233rd anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, Veterans Monument Park. Celebration at Loma Colorado Park, $5 parking fee at adjacent Rio Rancho High School. Gates open 4 p.m. with live music, children's activities and food vendors. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
    n ROSWELL: Amazing Roswell UFO Festival, July 2-5, features lectures, workshops, vendors exhibition and more. July 3, Main Street parade, 7:30 p.m., followed by Jefferson Starship concert, Pearson Auditorium, New Mexico Military Institute (tickets at ufofestivalroswell.com). July Fourth celebration at Cielo Grande Recreation Area, starts 10 a.m., with live music, sports tournaments, children's activities, a salute to veterans and fireworks at 9:15 p.m.
    n SANTA FE: Pancakes on the Plaza, 7 a.m.-1 p.m., $7, followed by entertainment and car show on the plaza until 3 p.m. Celebration at Santa Fe High School's Ivan Head Stadium. Gates open 5 p.m. Parking $5 at Ragle Park and at all lots on Santa Fe High School campus. General admission $1. Live music, food vendors and fireworks at sunset.
    n SANTA ROSA: July 4 celebration, Santa Rosa State Park, music, food vendors, fireworks display after dark. 39th annual Firecracker Classic Softball Tournament, Santa Rosa Softball Complex, July 4-5.
    n SILVER CITY: Gough Park, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., arts and crafts, food vendors, live music; parade, 10 a.m., from Pope Street to Gough Park; fireworks at dusk.
    n SOCORRO: New Mexico Tech campus, adjacent to Macey Center, 11 a.m.-10 p.m., music, dancing, food vendors, water slides. Fireworks after dark.
    n TAOS: Parades, noon, Arroyo Seco, and 2 p.m., Taos Ski Valley. Both events featuring music and activities. Taos Gallery Association Art Walk, Historic District, 5-7 p.m.; fireworks at Philemon Sanchez Park, 9 p.m.
    EDITOR'S NOTE: In this summer series about traveling in New Mexico, the Journal takes a look at Fourth of July celebrations around the state.

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