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It's fair time: From the midway to music, Expo New Mexico ready to showcase the state's best
NEW MEXICO STATE FAIR DAYS
NEW MEXICO
STATE FAIR DAYS
Thursday, Sept. 7
Opening day: $4 admission, $30 ride wristband; Graze Days — All food vendors will offer one regular menu item for just $5 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Law Enforcement Day — Free admission for N.M. law enforcement officers and personnel with valid ID.
Sept. 8-10
Teacher Appreciation Day – All teachers will get into the fair for free when they present their district issued ID or a pay stub at the ticket booth. Free admission is good for ID holder only.
Friday, Sept. 8 – State Employee Appreciation Day — State employees get in for just $8 when they present an ID badge issued by the state agency they work for, or a current pay stub issued by a state agency. Discount is good for ID or pay stub holder only; Firefighter & First Responders Day — Free admission for firefighters and first responders with valid ID.
Monday, Sep. 11 – Four Dollar Day – $4 admission all day, $30 ride wristbands.
Tuesday, Sept. 12 – Military/Veterans Day – Free admission for all active & retired military and veterans with valid ID, $5 admission and $30 ride wristbands.
Wednesday, Sept. 13 – Dollar Day! – $1 admission all day, Dollar Rides all rides are $1 per ride, with a minimum purchase of 10 rides required. Ride wristbands will not be available for purchase.
Thursday, Sept. 14 – Everyone is a Kid Today — $8 admission all day, $30 ride wristbands; Graze Days — All food vendors on the grounds offer one regular menu item for just $5 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 15 – City & County Employee Appreciation Day – admission for anyone employed by New Mexico city or county government get in for just $8 with city or county issued employment ID, $40 ride wristbands.
2023 NEW MEXICO STATE FAIR
2023 NEW MEXICO STATE FAIR
WHEN: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday; Sept. 7-17
WHERE: New Mexico State Fair grounds, Interstate 40 and exit at the San Mateo Blvd. or Louisiana Blvd. exits. From there, follow directions to Expo New Mexico. Right-hand turns are only allowed into the State Fair grounds.
HOW MUCH: $15 adults, $8 senior and children ages 6-12; Free for children ages 5 and under. Tickets are available at etix.com.
Planning for the New Mexico State Fair is a year-round endeavor.
Just ask Dan Mourning.
As the fair general manager, Mourning spends most of his days keeping the wheels moving forward on the property.
In the weeks leading up to the N.M. State Fair, which takes place Thursday, Sept. 7, through Sept. 17, Mourning and his staff can be found overseeing the work it takes to get the fairgrounds ready.
“This is New Mexico’s fair,” Mourning says. “We have people from all over the state coming to visit or to compete. It’s a community event.”
Mourning says moving all the dirt into Tingley Coliseum takes some work. The art for the Native and Spanish art shows will soon be all complete.
“This is where we get to showcase the best of New Mexican artisans,” he says. “From crafts to quilting, you should see some of the amazing things being showcased.”
Of course, a fair wouldn’t be complete without all the rides along the midway of the fair.
Mourning says there are plenty of events happening each day on every corner of the fairgrounds.
There’s also music in the air at Tingley Coliseum.
The state fair line up includes Mammonth WVH with PRCA Xtreme Bulls on Friday, Sept. 8
On Saturday, Sept. 9, country singer Justin Moore will headline a concert at Tingley Coliseum.
Tuesday, Sept. 12 will see country singer Chancey Williams, and on Thursday, Sept. 14, The Country Comeback Tour featuring Shenandoah with the PRCA Rodeo will take place.
Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez and Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles will headline on Sept. 15.
And Omaha, Nebraska’s 311 will end the concert series on Sept. 16.
“We have Wolfgang Van Halen opening and this band is going to be huge,” Mourning says. “They are the hottest ticket around because they’ve been touring with Metallica and Def Leppard. Country is huge for us here too. And people are going to love 311 ending all of the fun. There’s a little bit of something for everyone.”
