Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
I hope you’re enjoying September so far and the rain we have been getting. This weekend, there are some enjoyable things to explore in town and elsewhere across New Mexico.
The Clovis Astronomy Club is hosting a night sky observing at Ned Houk Park this Friday from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. This event sounds so much fun for a night sky enthusiast like myself. Ned Houk seems the perfect place to view planets and stars due to the lack of light pollution. To reach the event, head to Ned Houk and turn left at the park entrance, and then take the first right and follow the road down to the pavilion on the left. The event is free and is for all ages.
Williams Livestock Ranch is hosting a free family movie night on Saturday featuring The Flinstones! Bring your family and snacks and enjoy the movie outside on the big screen starting at 7 p.m. Their address is 1425 N Main.
White Sands National Park and the city of Alamogordo are hosting their 30th White Sands Balloon Invitational this weekend. The festival will take place Saturday and Sunday, with a balloon launch from White Sands National Park at 7 a.m. Saturday and a balloon glow that evening from 6-10 p.m. On Sunday, balloons will launch again from the park at 7 a.m. (all events are weather permitting). The free festival will include a mechanical bull, food vendors, chainsaw carving, a dunk tank, live music, custom cowboy hats, and more. The festival is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Ed Brabson Balloon Park at 700 Lavelle Rd, Alamogordo.
And last but not least, the New Mexico State Fair is on right now at Expo New Mexico at 300 San Pedro Dr. NE, Albuquerque, through Sunday. I love the state fair for the art exhibitions in photography and other mediums, the competitions in baking, quilting, and much more. And, of course, the food.
Some details:
• The Hot Rods and Custom Cars/ Classic Mustangs Day will be on Saturday. Also, on Saturday will be Native American Day in the Indian Village, including special programming and performances.
• On Sunday will be the Classic Cars, Trucks, and Corvairs Show that will close out this year’s state fair Main Street events.
• Fair hours Sunday-Thursday are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday -Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Midway (where the rides are) hours are Monday - Friday, open at 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, the midway opens at 10 a.m. The gates for midway admission close at 9 p.m. on weekdays and 10 p.m. on weekends.
• Fair admission is $15 for adults, $8 for seniors (65 and over), $8 for kids ages 6-11, and children under 5 years old are free. Tickets for kids and seniors must be purchased at the entrance gates. All other fair tickets can be purchased online at statefair.exponm.com .
• For more information about things to do at the fair, discounts, and parking, visit statefair.exponm.com and click on their FAQ page.
Autumn Scott writes for The Eastern New Mexico News. Contact her at:
