New Mexico State Fair opens amid uncertain future on its location

On Thursday, in the heart of the International District, the hickory aroma of smoking turkey legs filled the air. Carnies worked various games of chance and hounded passersby to give their booth a shot over blaring speakers. Visitors trickled in, some being dragged by eager children, as the work and school days neared a close — the New Mexico State Fair was underway.

Albuquerque resident Mike Mccann has been coming to the State Fair for the past three decades and opted to return on opening day 2025.

“It’s awesome. I love it every year,” Mccann said as he waited for his kids, who rode on a pendulum-style carnival ride.

But the future of the venue at which the fair is taking place is as up in the air as the ride his kids were on.

In December 2024, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced plans to turn Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque — the venue for the fair — into a mixed-use development consisting of businesses and housing.

In July, during a meeting with fellow elected officials who represent the area, the governor floated the idea that the annual festival might not have to find a new venue.

“I want to be really clear about that, because you’ll notice I didn’t say a plan to move (the State Fair),” Lujan Grisham said.

Additionally, a rendering from Stantec — the engineering consultant firm awarded the contract to create a master plan for the area — shown at the July meeting, even included a Ferris wheel.

Still, the prospect of the fair changing sites is disheartening to some, like Kristi Coriz, a resident of the Santo Domingo Pueblo who has been coming to the fair since she was a child. She brought her two daughters to opening day.

“We will be sad if it moves, honestly, because this is something we look forward to every September,” Coriz said. But on Thursday, she was excited to be at the fair and not have to deal with massive crowds.

“I love coming on the first day. We try to make it on the first day, because there aren’t too many people,” Coriz said. “But we enjoy being here. We love the State Fair.”

The fair will run through Sept. 14 and will likely draw hundreds of thousands of visitors. Last year, an estimated 500,000 people came to enjoy the festivities.

Another mother enjoying time with her daughter was Montoya Amos, who has been coming to the fair for five years.

“Lots of good food, lots of fun rides, and it’s $2 admission…just can’t beat that,” Amos said as she watched her child and sister ride a spinning tilt-a-whirl.

While many who came for the State Fair’s opening day are from Albuquerque or surrounding areas, Thursday marked Briana Vasquez-Peragine’s first time in the Land of Enchantment.

“I think the atmosphere is very nice. I think it’s incredible, actually,” Vasquez-Peragine said. “I love the people here; everyone is so kind. I love the actual fairground itself.”

Working a water game at the fair, Vasquez-Peragine said she’s been working for the past year at fairs across the country to pay off her student debts.

“The energy so far on day one has been great. Everyone. It seems like they’re in a good mood,” she said. “I think this is going to be one of my favorite fairs of the year.”