Summer Festivals in New Mexico

New Mexico is rugged and historically rich, and you can find those features in the state's summer festivals, from the Native American population to the gold rush. There are also cultural events and family friendly activities that offer a little something for everyone.

What's more New Mexico than gold rush excitement? Get your fill of it during the Gold Rush Days, on May 26 - 27, in White Oaks. Visitors can participate in gold panning and mineral exhibitions at an 1890's gold camp. A chuck wagon cook-off brings a taste of the old west into the modern day, and "Voices of the Past," a live performance based on the lives of the settlers who first came to White Oaks, brings history to life. With a stick horse rodeo for the kids, a fashion show of the clothing of the period, campfire tales, picking around the fire, and a Sunday cowboy church service, this is an all-consuming step back into the past. Get all of the information about this amazingly authentic two-day western event here.

For three weekends in June, the Simms Center for the Performing Arts at the Albuquerque Academy is overrun with chamber ensembles at Chamber Music Albuquerque. The St. Petersburg Quartet, the Contrasts Quartet with Aaron Jay Kernis, and the Jupiter String Quartet take to the stage for the popular music fest. Concerts are the weekends of June 8 - 24, and tickets are needed for the performances, but, prior to each concert, a free lecture is offered to the public. If you would like to know more, visit here.

The Wildlife West Nature Park brings a great offering of bluegrass to Edgewood in its concert series June 22^nd through August 5^th. The Wildlife West Bluegrass series brings both New Mexico natives, as well as regional and national bluegrass performers, like Shawn Camp and Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike, to the park. Several of the concerts also offer workshop, open jam session, and more, as well as all of the excitement of the zoo. To buy tickets or get more information about the shows that will be offered this season, go to http://www.wildlifewest.org/events.html

At Hot Chili Days, Cool Mountain Nights in Red River, NM, from August 16 - 18, 2007, you can find non-stop entertainment, along with the real draw, the chili. The cook-off features four categories (red chili, open chili, green chili, and salsa). There is also a songwriter's symposium and more. To find out more about how you can participate, get the info at http://www.redriver.org/visitor/events.php?eventID=456

The Santa Fe Indian Market, going on August 18 - 19 at Santa Fe Plaza brings over one thousand artists from one hundred different tribes to show off their work in over six hundred booths. Buyers and collectors come from around the world are drawn to Santa Fe to meet the artists, experience their cultures, and purchase some truly unique artwork. If you would like to attend, get the information at http://www.swaia.org/market.php.