Albuquerque, NM

Photos by Mary MacIntyre Late Summer NM.

Too many to list: go to the ALIBI.com for a partial list. Let’s face it it’s fall, the harvest is in, it’s warm enough still to party outside. Chile’s are abundant. So all over NM you will find festivals. If you feel inclined, review some of my recent posts and you will see links to several. Here’s a relatively famous one:Guest Chef Luncheon & Tour of Rancho de Las Golondrinas: James Campbell Caruso
Join a tour of the historic El Rancho de Las Golondrinas, the last encampment on the Camino Real from Mexico City, followed by a guest chef luncheon hosted by James Campbell Caruso, chef owner of La Boca Feliz, who will take you on a culinary tour of Spain with Spanish wines.
(AT2)
9:30 AM to 2:00 PM, Eldorado Hotel
(limit 15) — $125.00

Guest Chef Demo: Jody Denton
One of America’s top chefs, Jody Denton of Merenda in Bend, Oregon will lead a cooking demonstration at the Santa Fe School of Cooking. Former chef at San Francisco’s renowned restauraunts LuLu, Azie and Zibibbo, Jody has found a home in Oregon and will share his passion for its culinary bounty.
(CC7)
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Santa Fe School of Cooking
(limit 44) $50.00

Please go to www.santafewineandchile.org

You’ll get a lot more detail and this event has already started and will go on all weekend.

Back to Albuquerque, an inexpensive totally uniqie event:
Sunday, September 30th 2007
10AM to 6PM

AKI MATSURI Japanese Fall Festival

Aki Matsuri celebrates the Japanese and Okinawan cultures with demonstrations on three stages and the best Japanese food in town. Martial Arts stage will feature 14 different martial arts demonstrations ncluding kendo (Japanese fencing), iaido (Japanese sword), aikido, karate, etc. The Personal stage will feature tea ceremony, origami, bonsai, ikebana, kimono, etc. The Main stage will feature taiko (Japanese drumming), dances from Japan and Okinawa, cultural attire fashion show, etc.

Cost:$3.00 admission fundraising for proposed Japanese Cultural Center

General Information & Fees:Free parking, free entertainment, exciting raffle prizes

Location & Directions:
National Hispanic Cultural Center 1701 4th Street SW Albuquerque, NM 4th Street SW and Avenida Cesar Chavez

505 294-6993

NMJACL (New Mexico Japanese American Citizens League)
5010 Lomas Boulevard NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110

The 8th Annual
Ancient Way Fall Festival

On Scenic Route 53
The First Two Weeks Of October 2007

Indian artisans, Zuni Dancers, ambassador wolves, tours of caves, lava tubes, volcanos, local artists and performers, evening drummings, dancing, music, chili, food and drink throughout - just a little of what the fall festival offers along New Mexico’s Scenic Route 53. The fall is when the pine covered sandstone mesa country of west central New Mexico is at its most beautiful - the days are cool and sunny, and the flowers are at their height. October 6-15 2006, will be especially wonderful, as the folks along the highway, from Grants to Zuni, open their doors for an 80 mile-long-party.
The communities and area attractions will host events day and night for your enjoyment. There will be afternoon and evening performances, art activities for children, open air markets, all nestled along the spectacular the Ancient Way Scenic Route 53.

Perhaps it’s the striking beauty of the land; or perhaps it’s the rich cultural mix of creative people of the area; but this part of New Mexico is vibrant with energy and vitality. Come spend a fun and fascinating weekend with us and experience the Ancient Way.

Festival Schedule 2007

Ancient Way Home Map Venues & Events Collectors T-Shirt Sponsors Highlights Services Native Heritage Trail

October 15 & 16, 2005

St Clair Wine Fest

Deming, New Mexico

St Clair Winery celebrates the new vintage of wine at this fall festival. Live entertainment, regional artists, wine tasting, tours of New Mexico largest winery, and more in this agrarian community. Festival hours are 12 pm to 6pm Saturday, and 12 pm to 6pm Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for minors accompanied by adult guardian, spouse, or parent. For more information, call 1-877-NM WINES or click here.

And from Frommers’ the travel experts:

Taos Fall Arts Festival. Highlights include arts-and-crafts exhibitions and competitions, studio tours, gallery openings, lectures, concerts, dances, and stage plays. Simultaneous events include the Old Taos Trade Fair, the Wool Festival, and San Geronimo Day at Taos Pueblo. The festival is held throughout Taos and Taos County Events, schedules, and tickets (where required) can be obtained from the Taos County Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Drawer I, Taos, NM 87571 (tel. 800/732-8267 or 505/758-3873; www.taoschamber.com). Mid-September (or the third weekend) to the first week in October.

Taos Trade Fair, La Hacienda de los Martinez, Lower Ranchitos Road, Taos. This 2-day affair reenacts Spanish colonial life of the mid-1820s and features Hispanic and Native American music, weaving and crafts demonstrations, traditional foods, dancing, and visits by mountain men. Call tel. 505/758-0505. Last full weekend in September.

San Geronimo Vespers Sundown Dance and Trade Fair, Taos Pueblo. This event features a Mass and procession; traditional corn, buffalo, and Comanche dances; an arts-and-crafts fair; foot races; and pole climbs by clowns. Call tel. 505/758-1028 for details. Last weekend in September.

Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta. This lively celebration boasts 5 days of wine and food events, including seminars, guest chef demonstrations and luncheons, tours, a grand tasting and reserve tasting, an auction, and a golf tournament. It takes place at many venues in downtown Santa Fe, with the big event on the last Saturday. Tickets go on sale in early July and sell out quickly. For information call tel. 505/438-8060 or visit www.santafewineandchile.org. Last Wednesday through Sunday in September.

The Whole Enchilada Fiesta, Las Cruces. The world’s biggest enchilada (sometimes over 7 ft. wide) is created and eaten. Call tel. 505/524-1968. Late September or early October.

October

Shiprock Navajo Fair, Shiprock. The oldest and most traditional Navajo fair, it features a rodeo, dancing and singing, a parade, and arts-and-crafts exhibits. Call tel. 800/448-1240 for details. Early October.

Rio Grande Arts and Crafts Festival, Albuquerque. This event features artists and craftspeople from around the country. For more information, call tel. 505/292-7457. First and second weekends in October.

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. The world’s largest balloon rally, this 9-day festival brings together more than 750 colorful balloons and includes races and contests. There are mass ascensions at sunrise, “balloon glows” in the evening, and balloon rides for those desiring a little lift. Special events are staged all week. Balloons lift off at Balloon Fiesta Park (at I-25 and Alameda NE) on Albuquerque’s northern city limits. For information, call tel. 800/733-9918 or visit www.balloonfiesta.com. Second week in October.

Taos Mountain Balloon Rally. The Albuquerque fiesta’s “little brother” offers mass dawn ascensions, tethered balloon rides for the public, and a Saturday parade of balloon baskets (in pickup trucks) from Kit Carson Park around the plaza. Call tel. 800/732-8267 for more information. Last weekend October (I think).

Add a few pow-wow’s, feast day dances, and lesser known events and you get the picture. There are also plenty of craft fairs too. So pull out the calendar and start filling in the details.

Remember too to visit the local orchards for lots of apples. And have you stocked up on this year’s fresh green chiles?

Google and visit sites for even more information.