Area full of summer fun

Fireworks displays, concerts, county fairs, a big-time bicycle tour and a first-time golf tournament top the list of things to do in the area this summer.

There seems to be something for everyone — from sports fans to pageant competitors to people who get their kicks running across a field with 80-pound tombstones.

“It’s going to be a busy summer,” said Kim Huffman, executive director of the Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce.

Things get rolling on Tuesday with the start of the Pioneer Days Rodeo Queen Pageant and Little Buckaroo Rodeo at the Curry County Fairgrounds.

Pioneer Days begins Thursday and runs through Saturday at the Curry County Fairgrounds.

About 60 miles down the road from Clovis in Fort Sumner, the annual Fort Sumner Days get under way on June 9. It runs through June 12.

Beverly Brown, a De Baca County Chamber of Commerce board member, said events on June 12, a Saturday, are expected to attract the largest crowds.

The annual tombstone race will be held at 6 p.m. on the high school football field on June 12.

People will run with a heavy tombstone across the field in hopes of winning large cash prizes.

“You bet the race attracts a lot of people,” Brown said.

The Fort Sumner Days parade is also on June 12, as well as a rodeo.

“A lot of Clovis riders take part in the rodeo,” Brown said.

On June 12, the chamber of commerce in Friona will host its first four-person scramble golf tournament. It will be held at the Friona Country Club.

“This will probably turn into an annual thing,” said Dean Sasser, Friona Chamber of Commerce president. “We’re expecting a good crowd. It’s limited to 15 teams.”

Portales residents are gearing up for the city’s annual Heritage Days, slated for June 18.

Huffman said the event honors the Roosevelt County Pioneer of the Year. Also there will be gospel concerts, games, food, crafts, a car show and a treasure hunt.

On June 19 in Muleshoe, those interested in bicycling will be in for a treat, as Tour to Muleshoe roles through.

Last year, 150 bicyclists took part in the event, said Terral King, Muleshoe Chamber of Commerce president.

“There is a huge turnout for the bicycle event,” he said. “The event attracts people from all over.”

Clovis will celebrate tunes in June and in early July with several concerts, including Clovis Community Band, “Concert Under the Stars” on June 19 at Ned Houk Memorial Park; Tops in Blues Concert on July 1 at Doc Stewart Park; country band Asleep at the Wheel on July 2 at Joe’s Boot Shop; and Johnny Rodriguez on July 3, also at Joe’s Boot Shop.

Farwell will be a busy place towards the end of July when it holds Bordertown Days on July 31.

Officials estimated there were close to 3,000 people who came out for the all-day festival last year, which included a parade along U.S Highway 60-84 from Texico to Farwell.

August will be an exciting time for Curry and Roosevelt counties as both counties will be holding their county fairs.

Curry County’s is set for Aug. 16-21 and Roosevelt County’s is set for Aug. 23-28.