Upcoming Events for July 22, 2024

Do you want to advertise your Torrance County event in the Mountainair Dispatch? I’d love to publish it. Email todd@mountainairdispatch.com with the details.

Federal Government

Department of Veterans Affairs

Veterans Benefits Festival (with the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services)

  • August 2, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
  • Will include toxic exposure screening, applications for PACT Act benefits, and enrollment in VA healthcare
  • New Mexico Department of Veterans Services, Pinetree Business Park, Building 2, First Floor, 4801 Indian School Road NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

Pecos National Historical Park

Due to a special event, there will be no tours or programs on August 11, 2024.

Ancestral Sites Tour

  • Daily until September 7, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
  • Meet at the visitor's center, 1 Peach Drive, Pecos, NM 87552

Trading Post Chats

  • Daily until September 7, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
  • Meet at the trading post (look for the pink building), 1/2 mile south of the visitor's center, off of NM-63, Pecos, NM 87552

Glorieta Battlefield Walking Tour

  • Mondays, Tuesdays, and Sundays, weekly until September 7, 2024, from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
  • Meet at the visitor's center, 1 Peach Drive, Pecos, NM 87552

Forked Lightning Ranch House Caravan Tour

  • Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, weekly until September 7, 2024, from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
  • Meet at the visitor's center, 1 Peach Drive, Pecos, NM 87552

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument

*‌Due to recent and continued rainstorms, the Quarai Convento remains closed. On July 24, 2024, the Abó and Quarai Visitors Centers will be closed.

Ranger Choice Program

  • every Friday at 11:00 AM, no registration required
  • Abó, Quarai, and Gran Quivira unit visitors centers.

Abó Ranger-Led Hike

  • every Friday at 11:00 AM until August 30, 2024
  • Abó Unit, Salinas Pueblo National Monument, 69 Ruins Road, Mountainair, NM 87036

Gran Quivira Ranger-Led Hike

  • every Saturday at 11:00 AM until August 31, 2024
  • Gran Quivira Unit, Salinas Pueblo National Monument, 4030 Quivira Flats Rd, Mountainair, NM 87036

Quarai Ranger-Led Hike

  • Every Sunday at 11:00 AM until August 25, 2024
  • Quarai Unit, Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, 122 Manzano Quarai Rd, Mountainair, NM 87036

Pueblo and Mission Program

  • Every Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 AM
  • Abó, Quarai, and Gran Quivira unit visitors centers.

State Government

New Mexico Department of Veterans Services Benefits Outreach Visit

  • Socorro July 23, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, at the Forget Me Not Veteran Center, 705 North California Street, Socorro, NM, 87801
  • Albuquerque: every Monday and Wednesday, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, at the VA Regional Office, 500 Gold Ave SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102 (inside the Albuquerque Federal Building and Courthouse)
  • Truth or Consequences: Wednesdays, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, at the New Mexico State Veteran Home, 992 South Broadway Street, Truth or Consequences, NM 87901

Cerrillos Hills State Park

No events are scheduled at this time.

Elephant Butte State Park

No events are scheduled at this time.

Leasburg Dam State Park

Star Program With Musical Program by Mark Courtney

  • July 27, 2024, from 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM
  • A night of star gazing with members from the Astronomical Society of Las Cruces. The Society will operate a 16" telescope to view amazing night sky objects. Through several telescopes, you will see nebulae, globular clusters, star clusters, planetary nebulae, galaxies, and more! The show starts at sunset at the Observatory, next to the visitor center parking lot. $5 per vehicle park entrance fee.
  • Leasburg Dam State Park, 1220 South St. Francis Drive, Santa Fe, NM 87505

Manzano Mountains State Park

No events are scheduled at this time.

Rio Grande Nature Center State Park

Guided Bird Walk

  • Every Saturday and Sunday - 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM
  • Rio Grande Nature Center State Park, 2901 Candelaria Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107. The Park’s Day-Use Fee is $3.00 per vehicle (exact cash or check). Friends of the RGNC and NM State Parks annual permit holders enter free with a valid permit displayed.
  • Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars, insect repellent, and sunscreen as needed. Meet at the Candelaria Viewing Area (Northeast side of the parking lot).

Torrance County

Torrance County Fair Board Special Meeting

  • July 22, 2024, at 6:30 PM
  • County Offices, 205 South Ninth Street, Estancia, NM 87016

Local Emergency Planning Committee Regular Meeting

  • July 23, 2024, at 9:00 AM
  • County Offices, 205 South Ninth Street, Estancia, NM 87016

EMWT Regional Water Association Board of Directors Regular Meeting

  • July 23, 2024, at 6:30 PM
  • 416 5th Street, Estancia, NM 87016

Torrance County Commissioners Regular Meeting

  • July 24, 2024, at 9:30 AM
  • County Offices, 205 South Ninth Street, Estancia, NM 87016

DWI Planning Council Regular Meeting

  • July 31, 2024, at 3:00 PM
  • County Offices, 205 South Ninth Street, Estancia, NM 87016

Torrance County Fair Fairgrounds Clean-Up Day

  • Saturday, August 3, 2024, from 7:00 AM-12:00 PM
  • Torrance County Fairgrounds, Leonard Ave, Estancia, NM 87016

Torrance County Fair

  • Tuesday, August 6, 2024, to Friday, August 9, 2024
  • Torrance County Fairgrounds, Leonard Ave, Estancia, NM 87016

Estancia

Board of Trustees Special Meeting

  • Monday, July 22, 2024, at 6:15 PM
  • 513 Williams Avenue, Estancia, NM 87016

Teen Game Night

  • Friday, July 26, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
  • Drinks and snacks provided
  • Estancia Public Library, 601 South 10th Street, Estancia, NM 87016

Old Timers’ Day

  • Saturday, July 27, 2024
    • Old Timers’ Day Parade, line-up at the Torrance County Courthouse at 9:00 AM, 9th Street and Allen Avenue, Estancia, NM 87016
    • Parade begins 10:00 AM
    • Car show begins at 11:00 AM

Mountainair

Mountainair Municipal Court

  • Thursday, 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM, with arraignments from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM and trials from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Willard

Village Council Special Meeting

  • July 29, 2024, at 5:30 PM
  • Willard Village Hall, 720 Dunlavy Ave, Willard, NM 87063

Other Organizations

Mountainair Rotary Club

  • 12:00 PM every Thursday
  • Claunch-Pinto SWCD Conservation Center, 1206 NM-55, Mountainair, NM 87036
  • Attendees should bring lunch.

Free Sunday Mornings at the Albuquerque Museum

  • Every Sunday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM; EXCEPTION: No free admission during Balloon Fiesta (October 7–15, 2023).
  • Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM, 505-243-7255
  • Timed ticketing applies. Before your visit, please reserve your tickets to Albuquerque Museum online at HOLD MY TICKET. Free admission applies to general museum admission only. Fees for special exhibits and events still apply.

Mountainair Gymkhana Rodeo

  • Sunday, August 4, 2024, at 8:00 AM
  • JP Helms Rodeo Arena, 609 3rd St, Mountainair, NM 87036

Symbolism - Real to Surreal

  • Exhibit Opening Reception on July 27, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
  • MMAC Annual Meeting from 5:30 PM to 6:00 PM
  • Member Party from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
  • Manzano Mountain Art Council, 101 East Broadway, Mountainair, NM 87036

West Fest Dance

  • Saturday, July 27, 2024, from 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM
  • Country Western Dance and music by Paul Pino and the Tone Daddies
  • Free admission; all-ages show
  • Manzano Mountain Art Council, 101 East Broadway, Mountainair, NM 87036

Manzano Mountain Art Council Exhibit: Inspired by the Land