Family Affair: NM State Fair returns to Expo New Mexico

The New Mexico State Fair returns Sept. 5 through Sept. 15 to Expo New Mexico.

The fair has something for everyone and each attraction will thrill and excite the young and the young at heart.

There is so much to cover from art exhibits, rodeo shows, concerts, agricultural and livestock events, food, artisan wares, local brewery and winery showcases and the popular midway filled with carnival rides for all ages.

On Sept. 5, the opening day of the fair, visitors can enjoy themselves without breaking the bank with $2 admission and $2 rides. All food vendors also will offer one regular menu item for $5 from 10 a.m. to 4 pm.

Another way to save is with the Mega pass that allows a one day admission to the fair and an unlimited wristband that allows guests to skip the ticketing line and enjoy all the carnival rides they can handle for $35.

Concertgoers have a good amount of shows to choose from including country music maven Jo Dee Mesina on Sept. 6, Latina songstress Becky G on Sept. 7, country music icon Brad Paisley on Sept. 12, country singer and songwriter Cole Swindell on Sept. 13 and country entertainer Josh Turner on Sept. 14.

“The concert/rodeo series is a long-standing tradition at the New Mexico State Fair and we are proud to offer an amazing entertainment lineup for all New Mexicans to enjoy,” Dan Mourning, NM State Fair general manager, said in a statement.

Rodeo events are a integral part of the New Mexico State Fair. Events include barrel racing and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association events including Xtreme Bulls on Sept. 6 and Sept. 7.

Attendees can enjoy Great American pig races, the Nerveless Nocks Jetpack Flying Water Circus, Great American Duck Races, Sea Lion Splash, Lorikeets Encounter, live music in Villa Hispana and the Chevron Pavilion and Native American dance in Indian Village.

This year’s fair will offer a sensory station from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day of the event at the youth hall located behind the duck races.

Main Street days will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day of the fair including Law Enforcement Appreciation Day on Sept. 5; Firefighters & Smokey Bear Day, Red Ribbon Day on Sept. 6; Classic VWs and Classic Jaguars Car Show on Sept. 7; Antique Car Show and Classic Tractors on Sept. 8; Military & Veterans Appreciation Day on Sept. 10; New Mexico True Day & Gathering of Counties on Sept. 12 and Science & Technology and Environmental Appreciation Day on Sept. 13.

The New Mexico Department of Agriculture is again partnering with Taste NM to bring back the Country Store inside the Agriculture Building located west of the Manuel Lujan commercial building south of livestock barns. The store will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day of the fair. Visitors will have the opportunity to step inside a state-of-the-art milk carton installation that functions as a photo booth. Adult guests can sip on their favorite New Mexico craft beer or wine during Reds, Whites and Brews Happy Hours held from 3 to 8 p.m. daily.

Offsite, people can take in the sights and sounds of the New Mexico State Fair Parade at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7. This year’s parade will leave the southeast corner of Expo New Mexico at Louisiana and Central NE and travel west on Central Ave. to Girard Blvd. SE.

NM State Fair hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 5 through Sept. 15 at Expo New Mexico, 300 San Pedro NE. The Midway opens at 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Kiddie Land opens at noon Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 seniors age 65 and older and children ages 6 to 12 and free for ages 5 and younger at statefair.exponm.com.

“Ensuring our wonderful state fair experience is convenient and affordable for New Mexicans is our top priority,” Mourning said in a statement. “You’ll want to plan ahead for this year’s New Mexico State Fair and buy your tickets now, as we intend to deliver an epic fair with the best of New Mexico culture, entertainment, fair food and endless fun.”

Fairgoers can skip the traffic and get to and from the fair with ease with park and ride services on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 7-8 and Sept. 14-15 at Coronado Center, 6600 Menaul Blvd. NE. On Saturdays, buses will run from 2-9 p.m. from Coronado Center to the State Fair. On Sundays, buses will run from 2-8 p.m. from Coronado Center to the State Fair. Both weekends, shuttles will run from 2:30 p.m. to midnight from the State Fair to Coronado Center. Bus only tickets are $10 or $25 adults for bus and fair admission, $20 for bus and child admission or senior admission. Children age 5 and younger receive free admission.

“We want to make getting to the fair as easy and seamless as possible so you spend less time in traffic and more time enjoying everything the State Fair has to offer,” Mourning said in a statement. “Not only does park and ride provide expedited transportation into the fair, but you have the added benefit of circumventing ticketing lines in order to get right to the celebration.”