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

Federal Government

National Park Service

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument

Dark Sky Event

Date: Friday, June 12, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM MDT
Location: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Abó Unit, 69 Ruins Road, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Join park rangers at Abó for a dark sky program featuring a guided pueblo and mission walk, stargazing through park telescopes, a dark-sky photography station, and pristine night-sky viewing. Attendees are encouraged to bring layers, water, comfortable footwear, and red-filtered flashlights for nighttime viewing conditions.

Sunset Photography Workshop with 2025 Artist-In-Residence Joyce Geier

Date: June 26, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Abó Unit, 69 Ruins Road, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Salinas Pueblo Missions, partnering with the 2025 Artist-In-Residence Joyce Geier, hosts a Sunset Photography Workshop on June 26, 2026. Visitors will learn sunset photography through hands-on practice at Abo, guided by Joyce and park rangers. The event is open to all ages; bring a camera, comfortable shoes, water, and snacks. The program includes a 30-minute lecture by Joyce, a 90-minute guided walk and photo shoot, and the chance to print and take home your favorite photo. The Artist-in-Residence Program is a partnership between the park and the Friends of Salinas Pueblo Missions, promoting support for preserving and educational opportunities at Salinas Pueblo Missions.

BARK in the Park

Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM MDT
Location: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Quarai Unit, 122 Manzano Quarai Rd, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: The 2026 BARK Ranger season continues with a group hike at the Quarai Unit. Dogs can earn their ranger status by following the B.A.R.K. principles: Bag waste, Always leash, Respect wildlife, and Know where to go. Co-hosted by the Friends of the Mountainair Animal Shelter.

Dark Sky Event

Date: Friday, July 17, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM MDT
Location: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Abó Unit, 69 Ruins Road, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Continuing the 2026 Dark Sky Program series with ranger-led tours, telescope viewing, a dark sky photography workshop, and guided pueblo and mission programs.

Dark Sky Event

Date: Thursday, August 14, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM MDT
Location: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Abó Unit, 69 Ruins Road, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Continuing the 2026 Dark Sky Program series.

State Government

No events to report at this time.

Torrance County

Regular County Commission Meeting

Date: Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM MDT
Location: Torrance County Administrative Offices, 205 South 9th Street, Estancia, NM 87016
Details: Regularly scheduled administrative meeting of the Board of County Commissioners.

Estancia Valley Youth and Family Council (EVYFC)

Date: Monday, June 22, 2026
Time: 4:00 PM MDT
Location: Typically via Zoom (check the agenda at this link for meeting details)
Details: Regularly scheduled meeting of the EVYFC regarding juvenile justice.

Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) Meeting

Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM MDT
Location: Via Zoom — details TBD. Watch https://www.torrancecountynm.org for meeting link.
Details: Regular meeting of the Torrance County Local Emergency Planning Committee.

Regular County Commission Meeting

Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM MDT
Location: Torrance County Administrative Offices, 205 South 9th Street, Estancia, NM 87016
Details: Regularly scheduled administrative meeting of the Board of County Commissioners.

Regular County Commission Meeting

Date: Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM MDT
Location: Torrance County Administrative Offices, 205 South 9th Street, Estancia, NM 87016
Details: Regularly scheduled administrative meeting of the Board of County Commissioners. The commission meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month.

Regular County Commission Meeting

Date: Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM MDT
Location: Torrance County Administrative Offices, 205 South 9th Street, Estancia, NM 87016
Details: Regularly scheduled administrative meeting of the Board of County Commissioners.

Encino

Encino Village Council

Monthly Council Meeting

Date: Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM MDT
Location: Encino Government Offices, 527 North Main St., Encino, NM 88321
Details: The council meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. For more information on Encino events, contact the Village Hall at (575) 584-2980.

Monthly Council Meeting

Date: Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM MDT
Location: Encino Government Offices, 527 North Main St., Encino, NM 88321
Details: The council meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. For more information on Encino events, contact the Village Hall at (575) 584-2980.

Estancia

Board of Trustees Special Meeting

Date: Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Time: 6:15 PM MDT
Location: Estancia Town Hall, 513 Williams Ave, Estancia, NM 87016
Details: Regular meeting of the Board of Trustees.

Board of Trustees Regular Meeting

Date: Monday, June 15, 2026
Time: 6:15 PM MDT
Location: Estancia Town Hall, 513 Williams Ave, Estancia, NM 87016
Details: Regular meeting of the Board of Trustees.

Board of Trustees Regular Meeting

Date: Monday, July 6, 2026
Time: 6:15 PM MDT
Location: Estancia Town Hall, 513 Williams Ave, Estancia, NM 87016
Details: Regular meeting of the Board of Trustees. The board meets on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month.

Tween Event at the Estancia Library: The Arts of Democracy in New Mexico

Date: Friday, July 10, 2026
Time: 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM MDT
Location: Estancia Public Library, 601 S Tenth St, Estancia, NM 87016
Details: Call the library to sign up at 505-384-9655 for this all-ages, interactive exhibit honoring the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence; ages 11 to 14 are invited, and will be able to create their own declaration with a quill pen on parchment and create their own snack.

Board of Trustees Regular Meeting

Date: Monday, July 20, 2026
Time: 6:15 PM MDT
Location: Estancia Town Hall, 513 Williams Ave, Estancia, NM 87016
Details: Regular meeting of the Board of Trustees.

Old Timers Day

Date: July 25, 2026
Time: Parade Line-up at 9:00 AM; Parade starts at 10:00 AM
Location: Arthur Park, 814 W Highland Ave, Estancia, NM 87016
Details: Music by the Jonathon Chavez Band, along with a car show, vendors, food trucks, and a horseshoe tournament.

Moriarty

City Council Meeting

Date: Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM MDT
Location: Moriarty City Council Chambers, 202 Broadway Street South, Moriarty, NM 87035
Details: Regular meeting of the Moriarty City Council.

City Council Meeting

Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM MDT
Location: Moriarty City Council Chambers, 202 Broadway Street South, Moriarty, NM 87035
Details: Regular meeting of the Moriarty City Council.

City Council Meeting

Date: Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM MDT
Location: Moriarty City Council Chambers, 202 Broadway Street South, Moriarty, NM 87035
Details: Regular meeting of the Moriarty City Council. The council meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month.

City Council Meeting

Date: Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM MDT
Location: Moriarty City Council Chambers, 202 Broadway Street South, Moriarty, NM 87035
Details: Regular meeting of the Moriarty City Council.

Mountainair

Town Council Meeting

Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM MDT
Location: Mountainair Town Council Building, 107 1/2 North Roosevelt Avenue, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Regular meeting of the Mountainair Town Council. To attend by phone, call (346) 248-7799, Meeting ID: 856-052-5813, Passcode: 888-888.

Town Council Meeting

Date: Tuesday, July 7, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM MDT
Location: Mountainair Town Council Building, 107 1/2 North Roosevelt Avenue, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Regular meeting of the Mountainair Town Council. To attend by phone, call (346) 248-7799, Meeting ID: 856-052-5813, Passcode: 888-888.

Town Council Meeting

Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM MDT
Location: Mountainair Town Council Building, 107 1/2 North Roosevelt Avenue, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Regular meeting of the Mountainair Town Council. To attend by phone, call (346) 248-7799, Meeting ID: 856-052-5813, Passcode: 888-888.

Willard

Willard Village Council Monthly Meeting

Date: Monday, July 13, 2026
Time: 5:30 PM MDT
Location: Willard Village Hall, 720 Dunlavy Ave, Willard, NM 87063
Details: The council meets on the 2nd Monday of each month. For more information on Willard events, contact the Village Hall at (505) 384-2874.

Soil and Water Conservation Districts

Central Tri-County Soil and Water Conservation District Board Meeting

Date: Thursday, June 4, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM MDT
Location: 2506 NM-333, Moriarty, NM 87035 (also known as 2506 Old Route 66)
Details: Regular monthly meeting of the Central Tri-County SWCD board, held on the 1st Thursday of each month.

Claunch-Pinto Soil and Water Conservation District Regular Board Meeting

Date: Friday, June 5, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM MDT
Location: Claunch-Pinto SWCD Conservation Center, 1206 NM-55, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Monthly meeting held on the 1st Friday of the month. Meetings are open to the public and currently available via Zoom. For Zoom access information, visit http://www.claunchpinto.org.

East Torrance Soil and Water Conservation District Board Meeting

Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Time: 8:30 AM MDT
Location: 715 S 5th St, Estancia, NM 87016
Details: Regular monthly meeting of the board of supervisors. The board meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month.

Central Tri-County Soil and Water Conservation District Board Meeting

Date: Thursday, July 2, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM MDT
Location: 2506 NM-333, Moriarty, NM 87035 (also known as 2506 Old Route 66)
Details: Regular monthly meeting of the Central Tri-County SWCD board, held on the 1st Thursday of each month.

Claunch-Pinto Soil and Water Conservation District Regular Board Meeting

Date: Friday, July 10, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM MDT
Location: Claunch-Pinto SWCD Conservation Center, 1206 NM-55, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Monthly meeting held on the 1st Friday of the month. Meetings are open to the public and currently available via Zoom. For Zoom access information, visit http://www.claunchpinto.org.

East Torrance Soil and Water Conservation District Board Meeting

Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Time: 8:30 AM MDT
Location: 715 S 5th St, Estancia, NM 87016
Details: Regular monthly meeting of the board of supervisors. The board meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month.

Other Organizations

Mountainair Rotary Club Weekly Lunch Meeting

Date: Every Thursday
Time: 12:00 PM MDT
Location: Claunch-Pinto SWCD Conservation Center, 1206 NM-55, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Weekly meeting for community service planning and networking. Visitors are welcome and should bring their own lunch.

Manzano Mountain Arts Council

2026 Young Arts Club Exhibition

Date: Thursday, June 25, 2026, through Thursday, July 9, 2026
Time: Regular gallery hours
Location: Manzano Mountain Arts Council, 101 East Broadway, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Exhibition showcasing work by members of the MMAC Young Arts Club, the 2026 Artists-in-Residence cohort at Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument.

Mountainair Spay and Neuter Clinic

Date: Saturday, June 27, 2026, and Sunday, June 28, 2026
Time: Determined by Pre-Paid Reservation
Location: Dr. Saul Community Center, 109 N Roosevelt Ave, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: A two-day community spay and neuter clinic hosted by the Friends of the Mountainair Animal Shelter. Registration details will be posted at fomas.org/events as the date approaches.

"Free Range" Art Exhibition (MMAC)

Date: Ongoing through Saturday, July 11, 2026
Time: Regular gallery hours
Location: Manzano Mountain Arts Council, 101 East Broadway, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Exhibition featuring local artwork inspired by the landscapes and agricultural heritage of the Estancia Valley.

"Threads — The Art of Fiber" Exhibition Opening (MMAC)

Date: Sunday, July 12, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM MDT
Location: Manzano Mountain Arts Council, 101 East Broadway, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Opening reception for Threads, an exhibition celebrating handmade paper, weaving, felting, and fabric arts.

2026 Mountainair Sunflower Festival

Date: Saturday, August 29, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM MDT
Location: Manzano Mountain Arts Council, 101 East Broadway, Mountainair, NM 87036 (corner of US Highway 60 and NM Highway 55) and throughout Monte Alto Plaza, 122 W Main St, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: A free, family-friendly arts festival featuring more than 50 fine artists, 20-plus local vendors, live music, a beer and wine garden, a children's activities area, a sunflower hat and costume contest, a treasure sale, and an art raffle and silent auction. More information will be available as the date approaches.

Astronomy and Nature

The Estancia Valley offers some of the darkest skies in New Mexico, making this area an excellent base for stargazing. Readers who want real-time sky guidance can use NASA's Skywatching. The Estancia Valley is also part of a remarkable ecosystem with a wide variety of migratory and year-round bird species that can be viewed throughout the valley.

The Messenger: Mercury’s Most Visible Month

Just after the glow of sunset, Mercury will be most visible this month. If you look just 10° up from the horizon line 30 minutes after sunset, you will see Mercury. If you’re having trouble finding it, you can use an app like Star Walk 2, but you can also draw a line down through the two much brighter planets along the ecliptic (the sun’s path), Jupiter and Venus, and you will find Mercury.

The Mountainair Dispatch covers public affairs, community life, and local news across Torrance County, New Mexico. To submit an event for a future post, email todd@mountainairdispatch.com. There is no charge to list events.