Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
What do peanuts and greyhounds have in common?
Some might argue it’s hard to find commonalities between a humble legume and a willowy canine.
We will have plenty of opportunities to look for some this coming week in Portales as Eastern New Mexico University welcomes former Greyhounds back to campus for its 89th Homecoming and the gates are thrown open at the Roosevelt County Fairgrounds for the 50th Peanut Valley Craft and Music Festival.
Thanks to technology perfected by a global pandemic, even alumni who are unable to travel can participate in some of the activities this week, beginning with an online event hosted by ENMU Chancellor James Johnston.
We’re all invited to pour a cup of virtual coffee at 10 a.m. Monday and tune into ENMU’s social media pages for “Welcome to Homecoming Week!” hosted by Johnston, who will be celebrating his first green and silver Homecoming since taking office in January.
Johnston and his wife, Stephanie, will be back online at 6 p.m. Wednesday to host a lively session of Bingo via Zoom for students and alumni. That link, like all other vital information for the week, will be available at the school’s dedicated event page: enmu.edu/homecoming.
Bingo is about as sporty as I often get, but our hometown university has a wide array of athletic events slated for the coming week.
At 6 p.m. Tuesday, students will take to the field at Greyhound Stadium for the seventh annual Powderpuff Football Tournament.
On Wednesday, soccer fans can catch the Greyhound women in action against Oklahoma Christian at 6 p.m. at Greyhound Stadium, followed by the Greyhound men in a match against Dallas Baptist slated to begin at 7:30 p.m.
Golfers are encouraged to tee up for the annual Homecoming golf tournament that takes place all day Friday at the Portales Country Club. Call Kalley Tharp at 575-562-2153 to learn the details.
The Greyhound women’s volleyball team has matches scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday against Texas A & M International University and at 2 p.m. Saturday against Texas A & M Kingsville. All the spiking and setting action takes place in Greyhound Arena.
In the interest of participating in practically every sport this week, Eastern is also hosting the Lone Star Conference Track and Field Championships at Greyhound Stadium from 8 a.m. until noon Saturday.
No worries … all of the runners will be long gone in time for the 6 p.m. kickoff of the Homecoming football game against Texas A & M Kingsville.
Homecoming is not all sports however, and the school has scheduled a number of opportunities for ’Hounds to gather for food and visiting.
Two to definitely add to your calendar are the president’s barbecue from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Friday in the south gym at Greyhound Arena, and the ENMU Alumni Mix and Mingle from 8-10 p.m. at Enchantment Vineyards, 2102 E. Third St., Portales.
Eastern’s culinary arts students are whipping up tasty appetizers for that last one — with the selection already approved by a tasting event held last week.
Now you may not consider a parade as a dining event, but I do. It’s a candy-lover’s dream come true. Line up by 11 a.m. Saturday and be ready to scramble for sweets along the traditional route.
The Homecoming sugar trail runs from Abilene Street to West First (also known as the Roswell-bound side of U.S. 70), passes through downtown along the northwest side of the square and continues all the way past ENMU to the parking lot at the corner of U.S. 70 and Avenue O.
The official pre-game tailgate party is scheduled for 3-6 p.m. in the parking lot at Greyhound Stadium. You’re welcome to bring your own tent and munchies, or do it the easy way and find the big ENMU tent for free hot dogs and hamburgers courtesy of the ENMU Alumni Association.
Those Greyhounds have a lively week planned, but don’t forget to look across town to the packed schedule for Saturday and Sunday’s Peanut Valley Craft and Music Festival at the Roosevelt County Fairgrounds, 705 E. Lime St., Portales.
As it has for half a century, the festival offers ample opportunities to knock out some early Christmas shopping while feasting on fair food favorites and rocking out to an array of local musicians and bands.
The gates are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. There is no admission fee. Saturday’s events include a chance to justify the junk food you are bound to consume by visiting the 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. health fair in the fairgrounds pavilion.
Other events scheduled for Saturday include live music throughout the day on the stage, and demonstrations on the slab including a look at medieval life and performances by the La Casita Baile Folklorico and Clovis’ Citadel Cirque Troupe.
Save a corner in your tummy for a piece of the festival’s 50th birthday cake — it will be served at 2 p.m. Saturday on the slab.
Sunday’s entertainment includes an encore peek at medieval life, as well as live music and dance performances all day. Popular local performer Wild Bill Cathey will be twirling his tricky lasso and popping his bull whip at 1:30 and 4 p.m.
To find out all you need to know about the Peanut Valley Festival, along with a detailed list of entertainment, go to portales.com .
Greyhounds and peanuts. It might turn out to be a match made in heaven.
Betty Williamson is a peanut-lovin’ Greyhound. Reach her at:
