Upcoming Events for March 18, 2024

Todd Brogowski -

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

Pecos National Historical Park

Ancestral Sites Tour

  • every Monday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM, until April 20, 2024
  • Meet at the visitor's center, 1 Peach Drive, Pecos, NM 87552

Trading Post Chats

  • Every Monday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM, until April 20, 2024
  • Drop in at the trading post (0.5 miles south of the visitor's center on HWY 63), 1 Peach Drive, Pecos, NM 87552

Battlefield Hike

  • Every Saturday from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM, until April 20, 2024
  • Discover the story behind the Battle of Glorieta Pass
  • The tour begins at the visitor's center, and attendees caravan to the Battlefield Trail in their own vehicles.
  • Meet at the Visitor's Center, 1 Peach Drive, Pecos, NM 87552

Civil War: New Mexico Territory, 1862

  • Saturday, March 23, 2024, at 1:30 PM; Sunday, March 24, 2024, at 1:30 PM
  • The Battle of Glorieta Pass took place on March 26-28, 1862. As we approach those dates in 2024, join a ranger from nearby Fort Union National Monument to learn more about this battle and witness a small arms black powder demonstration. The event will take place at the Trading Post, approximately 0.5 miles south of the main visitor center on Highway 63. Arrive early to get your parking spot!
  • The visitor's center is located at 1 Peach Drive, Pecos, NM 87552

Geologic Crossroads at Pecos Pueblo

  • March 24, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 12:15 PM
  • Join Volunteer Laura, a retired geologist, for a 75-minute walk along the Ancestral Sites Trail. Learn about how the people of Pecos Pueblo used the area's unique geology and local resources in their daily lives.
  • This tour is free, and no registration is required. Meet at the E.E. Fogelson Visitor Center. Water, sunscreen, and clothing appropriate for walking in the high desert sun are recommended.
  • Meet at the Visitor's Center, 1 Peach Drive, Pecos, NM 87552

Birding the Pecos

  • Saturday, March 30, 2024, from 8:15 AM to 12:00 PM
  • Join volunteer and birder Albert for a guided bird walk along the beautiful South Pasture Loop Trail! The hike is free, and no registration is required.
  • Meet at the Trading Post (approximately 0.5 miles south of the main visitor center, off Highway 63), and be prepared to hike up to 4 miles on uneven ground with limited tree cover. Water, snacks, sun protection, and sturdy shoes are recommended. Bring binoculars if you have them!
  • Visitor's Center, 1 Peach Drive, Pecos, NM 87552

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument

Ranger Choice Program

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

Pueblo and Mission Program

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

State Government

Manzano Mountains State Park

Solar Eclipse Viewing

  • Monday April 8, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 1:45 PM
  • Mile Marker 3, Hwy 131, Mountainair, NM 87036
  • Solar eclipse glasses will be available to visitors on a first come first served basis. The regular Park Entrance Fee applies. Please bring exact cash or check or display a valid New Mexico State Parks annual pass.

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 Commission Meeting

  • March 27, 2024, at 9:00 AM
  • Torrance County Administrative Building, 205 S 9th St Estancia, NM 87016
  • Via Zoom
  • Meeting ID: 811 3303 2635
  • Passcode: 653866
  • One Tap Dialing +12532158782,,81133032635#,,,,*653866# US (Tacoma)

Mountainair

Mountainair Municipal Court

  • Monday - 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

Mountainair Town Council

  • March 19, 2024, at 6:00 PM
  • Mountainair Town Council Building, 107 1/2 North Roosevelt Avenue, Mountainair, NM 87036

Mountainair Easterfest

  • March 30, 2024
  • Easter egg hunt and meal, starting at 2:30 PM, Mountainair High School, 901 West 3rd Street, Mountainair, NM 87036
  • Easter dance featuring Perfect Strangr and B&X Sound, from 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM, Dr. Saul Community Center, 109 N Roosevelt Ave, Mountainair, NM 87036

Mountainair Town Council

  • April 2, 2024, at 6:00 PM
  • Mountainair Town Council Building, 107 1/2 North Roosevelt Avenue, Mountainair, NM 87036

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.

Mountainair Gymkhana Rodeo

  • Sunday, April 7, 2024, at 8:00 AM
  • Sunday, April 28, 2024, at 8:00 AM
  • Sunday, May 12, 2024, at 8:00 AM
  • Sunday, June 9, 2024, at 8:00 AM
  • Sunday, June 30, 2024, at 8:00 AM
  • Sunday, July 14, 2024, at 8:00 AM
  • Make-up dates:
    • Sunday, July 21, 2024, at 8:00 AM
    • Sunday, August 4, 2024, at 8:00 AM
  • JP Helms Rodeo Arena, 609 3rd St, Mountainair, NM 87036

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.

Family Art Workshops

  • March 23, and 30th, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
  • Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Road NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104

Manzano Mountain Art Council Exhibit: Inspired by the Land

  • Artists will have until March 20, 2024 to drop off their artwork
  • Exhibit opens March 23, 2024
  • Artists can apply online at https://forms.gle/gLB7wCQsodRMMLUG8
  • Manzano Mountain Arts Council, 101 East Broadway, Mountainair, NM 87036

Native Roots (Native American and Reggae Music)

  • March 21, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM
  • Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Road NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104
  • Free admission

Nuclear Communities in the Southwest

  • March 23, 2024, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
  • A discussion exploring the long-term impact of the 1945 Trinity Test on New Mexico communities with members of the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium and Searchlight New Mexico
  • Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Road NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104

You Are The Artist: Basic Watercolor Workshop with Ian Fay

  • learn watercolor painting techniques that will make the medium easier
  • Sunday, March 24, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
  • Reservations can be made at 312-933-4119
  • Donation: $5.00
  • Manzano Mountain Arts Council, 101 East Broadway, Mountainair, NM 87036

Heritage Spinning and Weaving: Fiber Prep and Spinning with Myra Chang Thompson and Carla Wackenheim

  • March 30, 2024, 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
  • Price included with admission to Casa San Ysidro
  • Casa San Ysidro, 973 Old Church Road, Corrales, NM 87048

Closing Soon! Masks and Metals Art Exhibition

  • November 17, 2023 to March 30, 2024
  • Manzano Mountain Arts Council, 101 East Broadway, Mountainair, NM 87036
  • Sunday, April 28, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
  • To Audition, send a recording or a link to a recording to anannforallseasons@gmail.com by March 15, 2024
  • Acts are limited to 8 minutes in length
  • Art donations for the silent auction (i.e., paintings, photos, ceramics, wood carvings, jewelry, etc.) will be accepted until March 15, 2024
  • Tickets: $10, individual; $20, family (2 adults and 4 children); talent show participants receive one free ticket for a guest; tickets include one raffle ticket eligible for prizes from multiple drawings through the evening
  • Manzano Mountain Arts Council, 101 East Broadway, Mountainair, NM 87036

DaVinci Machines: The Exhibition

  • Now through May 16, 2024
  • The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, 601 Eubank Street SE, Albuquerque, NM, 505-245-2137
  • Exhibit Information

Kitchen Creations: Free Diabetes Cooking Classes

  • April 4, 11, 18, and 25, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
  • Torrance County CES Offices, 205 9th Street, Estancia, NM
  • To register call 505-544-4334, email maberryd@nmsu.edu or sign up at kitchencreations.nmsu.edu

Free Community Dinner

  • Donald and Jaqueline Zahnke are hosting a free community spaghetti dinner on April 11, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM; to-go boxes will be available
  • Moriarty Civic Center, 202 Broadway St, Moriarty, NM 87035
  • For questions, please contact 216-466-3928