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Federal Government

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument

Weekly Ranger-Led Guided Hike — Quarai Unit

Date: Every Friday through October 30, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM MDT
Location: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Quarai Unit, 122 Manzano Quarai Rd, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Park rangers lead a free 45-minute guided hike at the Quarai Unit every Friday morning. No reservation is required. Bring water, a snack, sturdy shoes, and weather-appropriate clothing.

Weekly Ranger-Led Guided Hike — Gran Quivira Unit

Date: Every Saturday through October 24, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM MDT
Location: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Gran Quivira Unit, 4030 Quivera Flats Rd, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Park rangers lead a free 45-minute guided hike at the Gran Quivira Unit every Saturday morning. No reservation is required. Bring water, a snack, sturdy shoes, and weather-appropriate clothing.

Weekly Ranger-Led Guided Hike — Abó Unit

Date: Every Sunday through October 25, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM MDT
Location: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Abó Unit, 69 Ruins Road, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Park rangers lead a free 45-minute guided hike at the Abó Unit every Sunday morning. No reservation is required. Bring water, a snack, sturdy shoes, and weather-appropriate clothing.

Dark Skies, Bright Stars! — 2026 Dark Sky Program

Date: Friday, September 11, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM MDT
Location: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Abó Unit, 69 Ruins Road, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Park rangers and volunteers host a spectacular evening program as part of the 2026 Dark Sky Program series. Activities include ranger-led tours, telescope viewing, a dark sky photography workshop, and guided pueblo and mission programs. Admission is free. This is the monument's monthly Dark Sky Program, hosted May through October; the October session — the final for 2026 — is scheduled for October 9, 2026.

Ethnobotany Nature Walk

Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM
Location: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Quarai Unit, 122 Manzano Quarai Rd, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Quarai Unit, 122 Manzano Quarai Rd, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument is hosting a guided walk exploring native plants along the Quarai landscape and their historical significance. Led by the monument's Tribal Communities Engagement Intern, the walk covers the traditional medicinal and practical uses of plants found along the trail, along with the cultural knowledge passed down through generations. Organizers note it is likely that people who lived in the Salinas region hundreds of years ago relied on many of these same plants in similar ways. The program is family-friendly and open to all ages, pets are welcome, and the paved trail is wheelchair accessible.

State Government

State Representative Stefani Lord

East Mountains Veterans Services Fair

Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM MDT to 2:00 PM MDT
Location: Village of Tijeras Council Chambers, 12 Camino Municipal, Tijeras, NM 87059
Details: State Representative Stefani Lord (House District 22) is hosting an East Mountains Veterans Services Fair, giving veterans, surviving spouses, and active-duty service members a chance to apply for benefits on-site rather than navigating separate agencies on their own. No registration is required. Benefits available on-site include a lifetime state park pass, disability benefits, property tax exemptions and waivers, hospital benefits, GI Bill benefits, and surviving spouse benefits. Attendees are asked to bring a VA award letter, DD214, proof of residency, and, for surviving spouses, copies of marriage and death certificates. Participating organizations include NMVA, NMVDS, NMVIC, Paws & Stripes, and NMVCC, along with on-site healthcare, housing, mental health resources, education, a service dog program, food assistance, and business and entrepreneur mentorship. To request a reasonable ADA accommodation, contact Charlene Smith at Charlene.Smith@nmlegis.gov or 505-946-5622 by Friday, September 4, 2026.

New Mexico State Fair Commission

New Mexico State Fair

Date: Thursday, September 10, 2026, through Sunday, September 20, 2026
Time: Gate hours had not been published as of this writing.
Location: Expo New Mexico, 300 San Pedro Drive NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87108
Details: The 2026 New Mexico State Fair is an 11-day run of PRCA rodeo, concerts, livestock competition, carnival midway, and Route 66 heritage exhibits, celebrating "100 Years of Historic Route 66." For Torrance County residents, the State Fair is an annual fixture rather than a curiosity. Local 4-H and FFA members from Estancia, Moriarty, and Mountainair schools regularly show livestock and enter agriculture and creative arts categories at Expo New Mexico, and the fair remains one of the largest single gatherings of rural New Mexicans each year, drawing more than 500,000 visitors over its run.

Daily Schedule of Contests and Performances
Main Street Days (Villa Hispana/Main Street Courtyard), daily themes:

• Thursday, September 10, 2026: Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
• Friday, September 11, 2026: 9/11 Remembrance, Firefighters and Smokey Bear Day
• Saturday, September 12, 2026: Route 66 Parade Day and Classic Car Shows
• Sunday, September 13, 2026: Classic Car Shows
• Monday, September 14, 2026: Healthy Living and Senior Day; The Original Green Chile Cheeseburger Challenge, Agriculture Building Main Street courtyard, cook-off begins approximately 12:00 PM MDT, first burger judged approximately 12:20 PM MDT (times subject to change day-of)
• Tuesday, September 15, 2026: Military and Veterans Day
• Wednesday, September 16, 2026: Pathways to College and Careers Day; standalone Chevron PRCA Rodeo at Tingley Coliseum
• Thursday, September 17, 2026: NM True Day/Gathering of the Counties; Chevron PRCA Rodeo with Everclear concert, Tingley Coliseum
• Friday, September 18, 2026: Science, Technology, and Environment Appreciation Day; Chevron PRCA Rodeo with Tanya Tucker concert, Tingley Coliseum
• Saturday, September 19, 2026: Hot Rods and Custom Cars Show; Main Street at Night Car Show; Chevron PRCA Rodeo with The Warning concert, Tingley Coliseum
• Sunday, September 20, 2026: Classic Car Show, Corvairs of New Mexico; Chevron PRCA Rodeo Matinee, Tingley Coliseum

Tingley Coliseum Concert and Rodeo Lineup:

• Friday, September 11, 2026: Turnpike Troubadours with Chevron PRCA Xtreme Bulls Rodeo
• Saturday, September 12, 2026: Ian Munsick with Chevron PRCA Xtreme Bulls Rodeo
• Wednesday, September 16, 2026: Chevron PRCA Standalone Rodeo
• Thursday, September 17, 2026: Everclear with Chevron PRCA Rodeo
• Friday, September 18, 2026: Tanya Tucker with Chevron PRCA Rodeo
• Saturday, September 19, 2026: The Warning with Chevron PRCA Rodeo
• Sunday, September 20, 2026: Chevron PRCA Rodeo Matinee

Every concert or rodeo ticket also includes general fair admission. The New Mexico State Fair advises purchasing tickets only through its official vendor, eTix, since it cannot guarantee tickets bought through other resellers.

Other named competitions on the 2026 calendar include Mutton Bustin', the Beef Jerky Showdown, horse and livestock shows, home arts, floriculture, and school and creative arts entries.

Admission

Per the fair's official Hours & Pricing and tickets pages:

• On-site: Adult $20.00, Senior (65 and older) $15.00, Kids (6-12) $15.00, children 5 and under free.
• Online (discounted): Adult $15.00, Senior (65 and older) $10.00, Kids (6-12) $10.00, children 5 and under free.
• Once a visitor leaves the grounds, re-entry requires repurchasing a ticket.

Getting There from Torrance County

Parking: Gate 1 (Central Avenue) and Gate 8 (Louisiana Boulevard) both offer on-site parking at $10.00 Monday through Thursday and $20.00 Friday through Sunday. Gate 8 fills quickly. Handicap parking with a valid placard is best accessed at Gate 1; Gate 8 handicap access requires an inclined tunnel. Rideshare drop-off and pickup is designated at the gate off California Street and Domingo Road.

Park and Ride: Weekend-only shuttle service runs between Coronado Center mall and the fairgrounds on September 12–13 and September 19–20, 2026. Saturday service runs 10:00 AM to 9:45 PM MDT outbound and until 11:45 PM MDT return; Sunday service runs 10:00 AM to 8:45 PM MDT outbound and until 9:45 PM MDT return. Tickets run $10.50 to $25.50 and cover one round trip; children 5 and under ride free.

Public bus: ABQ RIDE routes 66, 157, 766, and 777 serve stops along Central Avenue near the fairgrounds, including Central at San Pedro and Central at Louisiana, both within an 8-minute walk of the gates.

Bike Valet: Secured bicycle parking is available at Gate 4 (San Pedro entrance, between Copper and Lomas), open during regular fair hours; riders receive a claim ticket to retrieve their bikes.

Mobility rentals: Scootaround offers scooter ($80/day), wheelchair ($30/day), and stroller rentals at booths near Gate 1 and Gate 8, 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM MDT Sunday through Thursday and until 10:00 PM MDT Friday and Saturday.

Links
Full event details, concert ticket links, and the rodeo schedule are available on the New Mexico State Fair's official Tingley Entertainment page.

New Mexico State University Torrance County Cooperative Extension Office

Nutrition Education Cooking Demonstration

Date: Monday, September 14, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM MDT
Location: Bethel Community Storehouse, 1719 4th Street, Moriarty, NM 87035

Embroidery and Wellness Workshop

Date: Monday, September 14, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM MDT
Location: Bethel Community Storehouse, 1719 4th Street, Moriarty, NM 87035

Nutrition Education Cooking Demonstration

Date: Monday, September 28, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM MDT
Location: Bethel Community Storehouse, 1719 4th Street, Moriarty, NM 87035

Soap Making and Wellness Workshop

Date: Monday, September 28, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM MDT
Location: Bethel Community Storehouse, 1719 4th Street, Moriarty, NM 87035

Quarai Hike, Picnic, and Nature and Wellness Journaling

Date: Friday, October 9, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM MDT
Location: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Quarai Unit, 122 Manzano Quarai Rd, Mountainair, NM 87036

Nutrition Education Cooking Demonstration

Date: Monday, October 12, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM MDT
Location: Bethel Community Storehouse, 1719 4th Street, Moriarty, NM 87035

Pine Cone Art and Wellness Workshop

Date: Monday, October 12, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM MDT
Location: Bethel Community Storehouse, 1719 4th Street, Moriarty, NM 87035

Pottery Glazing Workshop (Pottery Part 2)

Date: Friday, October 16, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM MDT
Location: Torrance County Cooperative Extension Services Office, 205 9th Street, Estancia, NM 87016

Department of Veterans Services

4th Annual Veterans Meditation Retreat

Date: Friday, September 25, 2026, through Monday, September 28, 2026
Time: Contact organizers for details (see below).
Location: The Clyde Hotel, 330 Tijeras Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Details: A free, fully funded retreat introducing meditation techniques for veterans, open to every veteran regardless of discharge status, gender, race, or LGBTQI+/Two-Spirited identity. A support partner must accompany each attendee. Lodging, meals, and transportation to and from the retreat are covered by grants, sponsors, and individual donors. To apply, call (505) 982-4183, email info@lifetransition.com, or visit lifetransition.com/vmr.

Torrance County

Torrance County Commissioners

Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Torrance County Administrative Offices, 205 South 9th Street, Estancia, NM 87016

Estancia Valley Solid Waste Authority Board of Directors

Date: September 17, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: EVSWA Main Office, 515 Allen Street, Estancia, NM 87016

Local Emergency Planning Committee Meeting

Date: September 22, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Not Listed

Torrance County Commissioners

Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Torrance County Administrative Offices, 205 South 9th Street, Estancia, NM 87016

EVYFC Board Meeting

Date: Wednesday, September 28, 2026
Time: 4:00 PM
Location: Torrance County Administrative Offices, 205 South 9th Street, Estancia, NM 87016

Encino

Encino Village Council Monthly Meeting

Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2026 — a one-time shift from the council's usual 2nd Tuesday schedule this month.
Time: 6:00 PM MDT
Location: Encino Government Offices, 527 North Main St., Encino, NM 88321
Details: The council typically meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month but convenes this month on the 3rd Tuesday, September 15. For more information on Encino events, contact the Village Hall at (575) 584-2980.

Estancia

Town Offices and Library Closed for Labor Day

Date: Monday, September 7, 2026
Time: All day
Location: Town of Estancia offices and Estancia Public Library, Estancia, NM 87016
Details: Town Hall and the Estancia Public Library will be closed in observance of Labor Day.

Board of Trustees Meeting (adjusted for Labor Day)

Date: Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Time: 6:15 PM MDT
Location: Town Hall, 513 Williams Ave., Estancia, NM 87016
Details: Regular meeting of the Town of Estancia Board of Trustees, shifted from the usual 1st Monday due to the Labor Day holiday. Agenda posted on the Town Hall page prior to the meeting.

Board of Trustees Meeting

Date: Monday, September 21, 2026
Time: 6:15 PM MDT
Location: Town Hall, 513 Williams Ave., Estancia, NM 87016

Free Genetic Testing For Cerebral Cavernous Malformation

Date: September 22, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Location: Estancia Public Library, 601 S Tenth St, Estancia, NM 87016
Details: Free genetic testing for those of Hispanic/New Mexican roots who have experienced strokes, brain bleeds, sudden onset of seizures, weakness in limbs, vision changes, or severe headaches, are seven years old or older, and who consent to join research on Cerebral Cavernous Malformation.

Fall Public Library Kids Program Sign-Up Begins

Date: September 28, 2026
Time: Library Business Hours
Location: Estancia Public Library, 601 S Tenth St, Estancia, NM 87016
Details: K-5th Graders meet on Tuesdays at 4:00 PM; 0-5 year-olds meet on Wednesdays at 10:30 AM. Sign-up at the library during business hours or call to sign up at 505-384-9655.

Moriarty

City Council Regular Meeting

Date: September 9, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Moriarty Civic Center, 202 Broadway Avenue, Moriarty, NM 87035

Pinto Bean Fiesta

Date: Friday, September 25, 2026, through Saturday, September 26, 2026
Time: Parade at 10:00 AM MDT on September 26, 2026
Location: Moriarty City Park, 201 Broadway, Moriarty, NM 87035
Details: Balloon Glow at Sierra Blanca Brewery, 1016 Industrial Rd, Moriarty, NM 87035, time to be determined; dance 8:00 PM to midnight MDT; musician Bob Gray at 3:00 PM MDT; DJ Kam from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM MDT; Danny Duran Band from 8:00 PM to 12:00 AM MDT.

Mountainair

Town Council Meeting

Date: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month (September 15, 2026 and October 6, 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 join by phone, call 346-248-7799, enter access code 856-052-5813, and enter passcode 888-888.

Willard

Willard Village Council Monthly Meeting

Date: Second Monday of the month (September 14, 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.

Other Organizations

Chasing the Plumed Serpents of the Southwest

Date: September 8, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Manzano Mountain Art Council, 101 East Broadway, Mountainair, NM
Details: The plumed and/or horned serpent is found at many sites, up and down the Rio Grande corridor, down into Mexico, and into the Four Corners region. This presentation will summarize the crested serpent rock art locations, regional styles, temporal sequence, and compare them to other mural and ceramic images.

Roadrunner Food Bank Distribution

Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2026 (distribution is scheduled for every Tuesday, but verification is recommended)
Time: 11:00 AM MDT
Location: Dr. Saul Community Center, 109 N Roosevelt Ave, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Roadrunner Food Bank

Punkin’ Chunkin’ 2026

Date: October 17, 2026
Time: 10:30 AM
Location: 891 NM-55, Estancia, NM
Details: The Estancia Rotary Club’s 30th Annual Punkin’ Chunkin’ Festival raises money to help students pay for college. The organization is currently looking for vendors for the event (not just food vendors but also artists and craftspeople looking to share their work).

Mountainair Men's Support Group

Date: Every Wednesday
Time: 6:00 PM MDT
Location: Mountainair Multi-Purpose Building (in the Town Council complex), 107 1/2 N Roosevelt Ave, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Recurring weekly Christian men's support group meeting. For more information, please contact Richard Torres, Jr. (AKA Wizard) at (505) 357-9749.

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.

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. Listing events is free.