Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Portales celebrates its heritage

A second night of rain didn’t deter the citizens of Roosevelt County as residents lined down up and down 18th street early in the morning in anticipation of the 29th annual Heritage Days parade. Excited children sat roadside eagerly awaiting the parade and all that comes with it, while parents lounged on truck beds and lawn chairs enjoying each other’s company. Portales resident Trisha Hay was up bright an early across from Super Save with her 18-month old triplets, Katie, Kadon, and Kolton. “They all like the candy,” Hay said, smiling as the parade kicked off. The festival site at City Park featured an assortment of booths and stands, everything from delicious food to old coins to hand-carved wooden wine bottle holders. Live music kept the fun vibe going throughout the day, and the car show at the east end of the park was packed. “I really like being involved in community stuff and I like to visit with family, neighbors, and friends,” said Truitt Taylor. “They’re all out here enjoying themselves, bringing back some memories.”

Car Show

link Joshua Lucero: PNT correspondent

Citizens from throughout Roosevelt County converge to observe the 29th annual Heritage Days celebration.

Casual glancers and auto enthusiasts of our community mixed and mingled at the Heritage Days car show. Classic American muscle, souped-up racers, and everything in between was on display. The Desert Cruzers Car Club was raffling off a 1976 Chevrolet Corvette with 34,000 miles on it. The proceeds are earmarked for Make-A-Wish, a Clovis Community College automotive scholarship, and Lighthouse Mission. “We raffle off a car every year and every year we’ve come to the Heritage Days Festival,” says Jerry Bailey, president of the Cruzers. Rod Neal brought out his 1940 Studebaker Commander as well as his 1928 Austin Seven, two of the more older models. Gilbert Rivera, 66, brought out his 1966 Ford Mustang. “I had one like this my senior year of high school, in 1966,” said Rivera. “I found this one a year ago and I’m hanging on to it.”

Activities and Booths

There were plenty of stands with different attractions and items. Kat’s Kitchen, owned by Donald and Kaye Rice of Borger, Texas, featured handmade barbecue meat rubs, dessert and wine mixes, grill spices, and other products. “Everything we make is handmade with all natural ingredients,” said Donald Rice. Knothole, a company specializing in fine crafted wood products, featured an assortment of custom wooden trinkets, from clocks to wine bottle holders. “It’s all carved out and painted by hand,” said owner Rick Reynolds. The Water Wars balloon launcher returned, and by the time it warmed up around midday, there was a line to play

Pioneers

Teresa Nance and her late husband John were honored as Pioneers of the Year.

link Joshua Lucero: PNT correspondent

Pioneer of the Year, Teresa Nance, with Karl Terry at the Heritage Days celebration Saturday afternoon at the Portales City Park.

“I was surprised when I found out,” she said. She is an Eastern New Mexico University graduate, and has lived in Roosevelt County her entire life. Teresa taught in Sudan, Texas, for 30 years, commuting to work daily, and her husband John was a farmer and rancher. “I really never thought about being Pioneers of the year, but when we were asked we were honored,” said Teresa, 69.

 
 
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