BYJENNA FROSCH

The Las Cruces Bulletin

It’s that time again – fall is officially here, the cool air is starting to set in and people young and old are starting to gear up for one of the biggest events the community will see all year. It’s time for the Southern New Mexico State Fair and Rodeo.

Attendees from all over this part of the state will be coming to town to celebrate the fair tradition by attending events from Wednesday, Sept. 30, through Sunday, Oct. 4, at the Southern New Mexico State Fairgrounds 11 miles west of Las Cruces on Interstate 10.

Check out the non-livestock exhibits featuring fine art, food, vegetables, clothing, quilts and pretty much anything else one can think of in the Exhibit Hallat the fairgrounds. Area schools will also be involved, displaying their arts and crafts – from painting to photography and beyond.

The entertainment line-up is nothing to balk at either. Friday night will feature the Eli Young Band who will bring solid country music with a foundation in roots-rock. The band, comprised of vocalist-guitarist Mike Eli, guitarist James Young, Jon Jones on bass and Chris Thompson on drums, will perform at 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, in the Budweiser Pavilion.

Opening for the Eli Young Band are The Iveys – a locally grown group that specializes in a melodic pop style with just a bit of twang. The group will go on at 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, at the Budweiser Pavilion.

The Kid Fiddlers, a travelingband of musicians ranging in age from 7 to 18, will take the stage at 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, in the Budweiser Pavilion. The group of siblings has mastered 12 instruments in their time together since 2001 and are sure to be a group to watch.

Kids and families can get in on the fun at the fair’s carnival or with an entertainment line-up just for them – The Marcan Tigers, visiting Bengal tigers and their trainers; the Super Scientific Circus, comedic antics involving boomerangs, bubbles and beach balls; and magician Jamie O’Hara.

The fair will also have themed days for events – including Law Enforcement Recognition Day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, in DARE Town near the Sheriff’s building, with visits from McGruff the Crime Dog, DARE the Lion, free fingerprinting, canine unit demonstrations and law-enforcement vehicles on display.

Sunday is Hispanic Heritage Day and will feature Ballet Folklorico at 2 p.m., Las Flores Del Valle at 3 p.m. and the Mariachi Conference at 4 p.m. All of the performances will take place on the Memorial Medical CenterWest Stage.

Other fair events include exhibits by the New Mexico State University science departments, Asombro Institute for Science Education, the Las Cruces Museum of Natural History and the Las Cruces Astronomical Society, who put together including stars, spiders, scorpions, fish, wildlife and other “livestock.”

The rodeo – another fair favorite – will feature the Turquoise Circuit Finals of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association beginning Thursday, Oct. 1, and running through Saturday, Oct. 3. The competitors are from New Mexico and Arizona and participating are the top 15 competitors in each rodeo event, as well as the top 12 money winners from throughout the season. The rodeo will be held in the Pete Domenici Rodeo Arena.

Tickets to the fair are $8 for kids ages 6 to 12, $10 for adults over 13 and kids 5 and under are free. Tickets include entry to the fair, rodeo, the Speedway and live entertainment. Fair hours are from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, 8 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, Oct. 2 and 3, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4.

For more information, visit www.snmstatefair.com.

The Eli Young Band of Denton, Texas, will perform at 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, at the Budweiser Pavilion.

Justin Simon of Florenze, Ariz., puts his weight into wrestling down this steer at the Turquoise Circuit Pro Rodeo Finals last year at the Southern New Mexico State Fair and Rodeo.

Kids and families can get in on the fun at the fair’s carnival or with an entertainment line-up just for them ...