Suffering from the summer blues? Well round-up the family and bring them to the fun-filled festivities of the Southern New Mexico State Fair, October 1st -5th in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
There are traditional and new attractions for people to enjoy. One of the fair’s customary events is the carnival, which has rides for kids of all ages. New to this year’s carnival is the “The Freak Out,” a high speed adrenaline ride that has four sets of four-seater cars suspended from a large pendulum arm. The arm swings the cars from side to side and simultaneously rotates them 360 degrees. It’s fast and not for the faint of heart.
In addition to the carnival the fair has booked some great entertainers. Performing daily is Adrian D’Marco, a professional magician who mystifies audiences with his trickery and illusions. There is also the Welde Family Big Bear show, featuring the amazing tricks and feats of some enormous Grizzly Bears. Something new at this year’s fair is the Monster Energy Freestylemx.com Worldwide Tour. These motocross sports professionals perform death-defying stunts that will have audiences on their edge of their seats. On the calmer side, horse lovers will enjoy the “horse whisper” techniques and horsemanship skills of local trainer Rudy Lara.
The fair also has live musical entertainment which begins Thursday evening at 8:30 p.m., and continues Friday and Saturday night. Scheduled to appear are the Crooked Beaver Creek, the Dirty River Boys, James Otto, Border Avenue and Dallas Smith.
Other action packed events is the tractor towing contest. These aren’t your ordinary tractors, these are steam engine driven tractors with a lot of horse-power, and they will be pulling some heavy loads. The action begins at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Speaking of horse power, visitors can also enjoy some fast pace dirt track racing at the Southern New Mexico Speedway Park, Friday and Saturday evening.
Horse power of a different kind can also be seen at the Turquoise Prorodeo Circuit Finales. Participants are competing in bareback riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, saddle bronco riding, team roping, ladies barrel race and bull riding. The rodeo begins Thursday and concludes Saturday, it starts at 7 p.m. each evening.
Those attending the rodeo will have the opportunity to see rodeo clown Bert Davis & his Muttley Crew. The Muttley Crew, a troupe of ten dogs, nine of which are rescued dogs, dazzle audiences with a repertoire of doggy tricks and join their clown master in a stand-up comedy stick. The group has received national attention in recent years with an appearance on the prime-time show, America’s Got Talent.
The fair features other activities such as the quilt show & competition and crazy hat competition. There’s also an antique tractor show, horse show, and the customary junior livestock show and competition. People can also enjoy a pageant of sorts, as young ladies compete for the illustrious crown of fair queen and princess. Visitors can check out the fair’s arts & crafts show and competition, which showcases artwork from local students.
Bring your appetite, there is plenty to enjoy from the various food vendors on site. There is also a bake goods competitions, and patrons can purchase one of those tasty delights after the ribbons have been awarded. Several artisan booths will be on hand selling their unique arts & crafts, and specialty wares.
Admission is $12 for anyone over the age of 15 and $10 for anyone over the age of 7. Children under the age of 6 get in free. There is an early-bird discount special, Wednesday tickets are half-off, all day. Thursday and Friday tickets are half-off before 2 p.m. For convenience, tickets may be purchased online at snmstatefairgrounds.net
The fairs opens its doors at 9 a.m. daily. Closing hours are at 10 p.m. on Wednesday, and midnight on Thursday through Saturday. The fair concludes on Sunday, closing at 6 p.m. The fairground is located a few miles west of Las Cruces adjacent to I-10, use exit 132 and follow the signs until you get to 12125 Robert Larson Blvd.
For additional information visit snmstatefairgrounds.net or call their office number at (575) 524-8602.