Upcoming Events for August 11, 2025

Do you want to advertise your event in the Mountainair Dispatch? I’d love to publish it. Email todd@mountainairdispatch.com with the details. There is no cost to publish upcoming events.

Federal Government

Department of Veterans Affairs

SAVE Run Motorcycle Ride

• September 6-7, 2025
• Will travel from Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center, 1501 San Pedro Drive Southeast, Albuquerque, NM 87108, to the Angel Fire Veterans Memorial, 34 Country Club Rd, Angel Fire, NM 87710
• Click here for additional details

Pecos National Historical Park

The parking lots at the visitor center and mission church will be repaved starting Monday, August 4, and continuing through Thursday, August 7, 2025, weather permitting. Watch for flaggers and construction equipment when entering the park. Plan extra time to arrive for planned tours.

Ancestral Sites Trail Guided Walk

• Every day until November 1, 2025 (except for August 17, 2025), beginning at 10:00 AM
• Pecos National Historical Park, 1 Peach Drive, Pecos, NM 87552

Battle of Glorieta Pass Talk

• Every week on Monday, Tuesday, and Sunday until September 27, 2025 (except for August 17, 2025), from 1:30 PM to 2:15 PM
• Pecos National Historical Park, 1 Peach Drive, Pecos, NM 87552

Forked Lightning Ranch House Caravan Tour

• Every week on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, until September 27, 2025, from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
• Pecos National Historical Park, 1 Peach Drive, Pecos, NM 87552

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument

Quarai Guided Hike

• Every Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 AM until September 30, 2025 (except for September 14, 2025, and September 20, 2025)
• Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Quarai Unit, 122 Manzano Quarai Rd, Mountainair, NM 87036

BARK in the Park

• Every third Saturday of the month (August 16, 2025) at 9:30 AM
• Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Quarai Unit, 122 Manzano Quarai Rd, Mountainair, NM 87036 (travel through the visitor center breezeway, then take a right on the paved trail toward the picnic tables)

Dark Skies, Bright Stars!

• August 22, 2025, from 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM
• To commence the evening, participants will enjoy a ranger-led hike that introduces them to the Ancestral Pueblo and Spanish Mission site of Abó. This hike will provide insight into the tapestry of cultures associated with the Salinas Pueblo Missions and illustrate how their interconnectedness continues to influence New Mexico’s central region. Following the hike, attendees can spend time appreciating the park’s dark skies at the telescope viewing activity station. Alternatively, they may explore the dark sky photography activity station, where they can learn tips and techniques for capturing images of the dark skies, including with their phones. Participants are encouraged to select their best photo of the night, which park rangers and volunteers will print for them to take home as a souvenir.
• Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Abó Unit, 69 Ruins Road, Mountainair, NM 87036

State Government

New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services

The New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services (NMDVS) will close its field offices during the week of August 11, 2025, to August 15, 2025, for veteran service officer training. All NMDVS offices will be closed on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, for training. All offices will reopen and resume regular business hours on Monday, August 18, 2025.

The following state benefits sites are open on Monday, August 11, 2025; Tuesday, August 12, 2025; Thursday, August 14, 2025; and Friday, August 15, 2025:

• Albuquerque Office, 4801 Indian School Road NE
• Albuquerque VA Regional Office, 500 Gold Avenue SW
• Santa Fe Office, Bataan Memorial Building, 407 Galisteo Street

NMDVS and New Mexico State University are seeking information from veterans for the potential development of a "one-stop" veterans resource center. To provide your thoughts, click here.

Pistons for Patriots Veteran Benefit Car Show

• Saturday and Sunday, August 23 and 24, 2025
• Saturday, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Concert by Nosotros starts at 4:00 PM)
• Sunday 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM (Awards at 2:00 PM)
• Awards presented by Bill Carlton from the popular MotorTrend series, Texas Metal
• Food Trucks
• Raffles & Prizes
• Veteran Tributes
• Expo New Mexico, 300 San Pedro Dr NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108
• For tickets and vehicle registration, click here.

Weekly DVS Veterans' Benefits Outreach

(Starting back up on Monday, August 18, 2025.)

• Monday and Friday, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, at the Santa Fe Vet Center, 2209 Brothers Road, Santa Fe, NM
• Wednesday, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, at the State Veterans' Home, 992 South Broadway, Truth or Consequences, NM

Veterans Bricklaying Ceremony, David Westphall Veterans Foundation

• August 30, 2025, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM
• Vietnam Veterans Memorial, 34 Country Club Road, Angel Fire, NM

Military and Veterans Day at the New Mexico State Fair

• September 9, 2025
• Veterans, active-duty personnel, National Guard, and Reserve members receive free admission with a valid military ID or by wearing their uniform. Accepted IDs include military retiree card, veterans-designation driver’s license, VA Veterans Health ID Card, or a DD-214. Free admission applies only to the service members; family members and guests must pay the regular admission fee, and parking fees still apply.
• NMDVS will have its new Mobile Unit on site to assist Veterans and eligible unmarried widows or widowers with a wide range of services. NMDVS staff can assist with applying for property tax waivers and exemptions, obtaining the New Mexico State Parks Lifetime Veteran Pass, filing VA benefits, compensation claims, and answering questions about VA healthcare eligibility and enrollment.
• Documents needed to verify eligibility:
  • A copy of DD-214, NA 13038, NOAA Form 56-16, or PHS Form 1867
  • VA Award Letter showing percentage of disability and any other VA correspondence related to claiming benefits
  • NM Driver's License, ID, voter registration card, or the most recent NM Personal Income Tax Return
  • Widow/Widower copy of marriage and death certificates
• Gates open at 10:00 AM, with displays and information tables available until 3:00 PM. A special ceremony will take place at 11:00 AM under the Pavilion Stage in the food court. The fairgrounds will close at 9:00 PM.

Forgotten Heroes Burial Ceremony

• The cremated remains of 38 unclaimed military veterans will be laid to rest with military honors.
• September 18, 2025, with a memorial service beginning at 9:00 AM at Legacy Church, 4701 Wyoming Boulevard NE, Albuquerque. Following the ceremony, the remains of the unclaimed veterans will be escorted by law enforcement, service agencies, and the New Mexico American Legion Riders to the Santa Fe National Cemetery, 501 North Guadalupe Street, Santa Fe. A ceremony will take place at 11:00 AM at the cemetery.
• The public is invited to attend and serve as family to provide a final salute for those veterans not claimed by their biological families.

NM American Gold Star Mothers/Families Picnic

• September 13, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
• Please RSVP to departmentofnm@americangoldstarmothers.org; questions call 505-980-8787
• New Mexico Veterans Memorial Park, 1100 Louisiana Blvd SE #5009, Albuquerque, NM 87108

New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service

ICAN Cooking Class and Embroidery Class

• August 25, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
• Bethel Storehouse, 1719 4th Street, Moriarty, NM 87035

Torrance County

Torrance County Commissioners

• August 13, 2025, at 9:00 AM
• Torrance County Administrative Offices, 205 South 9th Street, Estancia, NM 87016, and online

Estancia Valley Youth and Family Council

• August 25, 2025, at 4:00 PM
• Torrance County Administrative Offices, 205 South 9th Street, Estancia, NM 87016, and online

Torrance County Local Emergency Planning Committee

• August 26, 2025, at 9:00 AM
• Torrance County Administrative Offices, 205 South 9th Street, Estancia, NM 87016, and online

Torrance County Commissioners

• August 27, 2025, at 9:00 AM
• Torrance County Administrative Offices, 205 South 9th Street, Estancia, NM 87016, and online

Torrance County Planning and Zoning Board

• September 3, 2025, at 9:00 AM
• Torrance County Administrative Offices, 205 South 9th Street, Estancia, NM 87016, and online

Estancia

Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees

• Every first and third Monday of the month, at 6:15 PM (August 18, 2025)
• Online and Estancia Town Hall, 513 Williams St, Estancia, NM 87016

NM Memorial Rides 5th Annual Salt Missions Trail Memorial Ride

• September 13, 2025, 8:00 AM; $30 per vehicle
• Wells Fargo Bank, 503 NM-333, Tijeras, NM 87059

Estancia Municipal School District

Emergency First Aid/CPR Training

• August 15 and 22, 2025, at 9:00 AM
• For location, please contact the Estancia School District Superintendent's Office at 505-384-2006

High School Open House

• August 20, 2025, at 5:30 PM
• Estancia High School, 709 NW Hopewell St, Estancia, NM 87016

APAX Community Educator Class

• September 10, 2025, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
• For location, please contact the Estancia School District Superintendent's Office at 505-384-2006

Board of Education

• 2nd Monday of the Month (September 15, 2025), at 6:00 PM
• Van Stone School, 809 W Joseph, Estancia, NM 87016.

Mountainair

Mountainair Town Council

• 1st & 3rd Tuesday of every month at 6:00 PM (August 19, 2025)
• Mountainair Town Council Building, 107 1/2 North Roosevelt Avenue, Mountainair, NM 87036
• Call-in info: 346-248-7799
• Access code: 856-052-5813
• Passcode: 888-888

Mountainair Public Schools

Board of Education

• August 26, 2025, at 6:00 PM
• MPS Central Office, north of the high school and shop buildings, 901 West 3rd Street, Mountainair, NM 87036

Homecoming Events

• Parade: September 11, 2025, at 2:00 PM, on US-60
• Community Bonfire: Bonfire starts at 8:00 PM (the Town of Mountainair recommends attendees arrive between 7:00 PM and 7:30 PM), September 11, 2025, Mountainair Municipal Airport
• Mustang Tailgate Party: September 12, 2025, at 4:30 PM

Willard

Willard Village Council

• 2nd Monday of every month at 5:30 PM (August 11, 2025)
• 720 North Dunlavy Avenue, 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.

Mountainair Clothing Bank/Free Store

• There will be a 20-item limit on donations taken.
• All dates are Fridays
• August 22, 2025
• September 26, 2025
• October 24, 2025
• November 21, 2025
• Dr. Saul Community Center, 111 N Roosevelt Ave, Mountainair, NM 87036

Mountainair Sunflower Festival

• August 23, 2025
• Monte Alto Plaza, 122 W Main St, Mountainair, NM 87036