Eastern New Mexico State Fair (ENMSF) has been operating for 100 years, or 10 decades, or one century. It can be difficult to comprehend just how long that length of time really is but according to history, the Roaring 20s was in full swing and the world was just getting over the Spanish flu pandemic when this fair originated.
On the heels of COVID, a sense of
normalcy is beginning to return. However, normalcy is being flanked by challenges in the economy and supply chain issues. I recently attended a convention where supply chain issues were a hot topic. Fun fact, if a shipping port is shut down for one day in America it takes seven days for that port to recover from the closure. The state of New Mexico was shut down for many months. There are significant operational differences in states that were closed and states that resumed under everyday processes. It may take years, maybe decades for New Mexico to get back on its feet. One thing that you can count on is that the fair will push forward and keep providing quality family fun in the safest possible manner. Last year’s fair was extremely eventful and it was amazing to see smiles on the faces of all who attended. We hope to make this year even better and continue to foster memories that will last a lifetime.
The fair is only successful because
we live in a country that allows us to gather, a community that supports the fair and volunteers that continue to give their time and pour their heart out to make sure that the fair is the best possible experience for everyone participating or in attendance. God, Country, Family and Fair. You may or may not know that ENMSF is a nonprofit organization much like your band boosters, foundations for disabled kids, mentoring organizations, groups that support those in need, and many others in our community. ENMSF doesn’t rely on government funding, grants or subsidies.
ENMSF is indebted to volunteers and to the community for the continued support. This ensures the fair and established traditions can remain for many years to come. We hold a special place in our hearts for all kids and strive to make great memories, build substantial foundations and help to influence kids and parents alike in a positive manner. I know the fair has changed many young
people’s lives for the better and altered paths for their futures to follow dreams that they didn’t know were possible.
Grand Marshal this year is Larry Hobson and family. I have known Larry Hobson my entire life. He has been a cornerstone of the fair for such a long time. He and his family served for numerous years and have given so much time, effort and heart into making the fair what it is today. I cannot express what Larry, his family and his fair family mean to me. There are not enough words that can be said or actions that can be taken to show how grateful myself and the fair community are for Larry and his families.
See you at the fair, Shay Wagner, Eastern New Mexico State Fair Board President
are still involved in Hobson Farms Inc. in the area.
Judy Hobson, who had been Arts & Crafts superintendent for about 20 years, said that Larry heard in March that he would be the 2022 grand marshal.
She said his and the family’s reaction to the news was “big tears — big, big tears. Very, very humbled by it.”
While Hobson was board president, the fair board built a new sheep building, a new hog building and a large new event and office building. But he was most motivated by providing opportunities for youth development, something he also worked on while serving 36 years on the Chaves County Fair Board.
ily of the Year Award from the Historical Society of Southeast New Mexico, a 2012 Outstanding Caring Citizen Award from the Chaves County Board of Commissioners, a 2017 NMSU College of Agriculture Outstanding Leadership Award, a 2017 Leadership Roswell Alumni Association Lifetime Achievement Award and a 2021 Citizen of the Year Award from the Roswell Association of Realtors.
By Lisa Dunlap Roswell Daily RecordThe grand marshal for the Eastern New Mexico State Fair parade has been selected in recognition of decades of work on behalf of the fair and especially with the youth involved.
Larry Hobson and his family have been chosen for the honor, and Fair Board Treasurer Travis Hicks said the board couldn’t think of anyone more fitting for the role, especially since this is the 100th year for the event.
Hobson was a board member for about 25 years and is now president emeritus. As board president for 20 years, he was a key leader in building the fair into one of the largest visitor attractions for the area, bringing in about 25,000 visitors and generating more than $1.7 million during the pre-COVID years. It is also the place where 4-H and FFA youth, as well as adults, demonstrate their knowledge and skills with animals, agriculture, horticulture, baking and arts and crafts.
“He did so much of the work,” Hicks said. “He would never say that, of course. He would say it was all the volunteers, but he was such an integral part of the fair and putting it all together that
the 100th year is a great time to recognize him.”
Hobson is undergoing medical treatment now, said his wife, Judy Hobson, who had been the Arts & Crafts superintendent for 20 years. She added that he definitely plans to participate in the Oct. 3 parade along Main Street.
If he decides not to be in the parade, or participate in related fair events, his family — which includes children Clinton Hobson, Mikell McGuire and Jami Bernachi, as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren — will represent him. They intend to have a float for the family and three fair staff employees.
Judy Hobson said it is also possible that Larry and she will ride in a separate car from the float.
Hobson is part of a family with deep roots and long ties to Chaves County. His great-grandfather, Herb Hobson and family had a farming enterprise and several other enterprises in the area dating back to 1896.
Born in 1946, Larry Hobson graduated from Roswell High School in 1965 and studied at college, later receiving several honorary degrees, including one from New Mexico State University (NMSU). He, brother Jerry and Jerry’s son Levi
“When he retired from the fair board, they gave him a beautiful sign ... Above it, it says, ‘It’s all about the kids.’ And that was just kind of his thing — 4H and FFA kids, they were paramount. That was what he worked for.”
She said he certainly enjoyed the carnival, entertainment and vendors, but the livestock shows and auctions and other youth activities were what he cared about most.
Larry and Judy Hobson have both received many honors over the years for their leadership roles at the county and state level in agriculture, education, their church, and youth and community development. An abbreviated list of awards includes a 1981 New Mexico Farmer of the Year Award, a 2006 Heritage Fam-
Interviewed in 2021 for the Citizen of the Year Award, Hobson said he had a simple leadership philosophy: “Never ask someone to do what you are not willing to do, and basically your volunteers — they are like gold — and you just have to appreciate them.”
Judy Hobson said that the fair and the kids have been her husband’s life for many years.
“He is so excited that it is still going on and it is as good if not better,” she said. “He so appreciates the leadership that is carrying it on.”
The parade on Main Street is scheduled to start at 10 a.m., Monday, Oct. 3, beginning at College Boulevard and continuing south to Summit St. The fair is planned for Oct. 3-8 at the Eastern New Mexico State Fairgrounds, 2500 S.E. Main St.
Lisa Dunlap can be reached at 575622-7710, ext. 351, or at reporter02@ rdrnews.com.
Welcome to an event 100 years in the making! The Eastern New Mexico State Fair has a long and proud history. Although we count 100 years from the first Chaves County Cotton Carnival in 1932, the roots of the fair began many years before that with the Southeastern New Mexico and Pecos Valley Fair Association. The purpose of the fair was to exhibit agricultural and orchard products. The fair of 1893 was an opportunity for local resi -
dents to show how productive the Pecos Valley could be. Even local farmers were surprised at the array of crops represented at the fair. The highlight of the event however was the Alfalfa Palace. This architectural phenomenon was constructed of bales of sweet-smelling alfalfa and resembled a castle complete with battlements.
The Alfalfa Palace was more than an amazing structure as it also housed the local exhibits. Covered pens were adjacent to the palace and housed the livestock. It is noted that as the wind began to blow, the Palace had to be evacuated and one lady reluctant to leave was carried out by a concerned gentleman. It was later discovered that the “lady” was actually a dummy of Martha Washington from one of the displays. The gentleman in question was considered no less heroic upon this revelation.
Those early days of community gathering would slowly evolve into the Eastern New Mexico
State Fair that we enjoy today. The first parade to open a fair was held in 1900. This first parade created a new name for the fair. There was such a wondrous display of floral decorations that the fair became known as the “Flower Fair.” Today’s parade boasts over 100 floats and entries representing businesses, schools, teams, clubs and more. In the early fair days children from local schools were given three days off so that they and their families may enjoy the fair. Today, the opening day of the
fair is known as “Fair Day” and many children and their families attend to celebrate the commencement of fair week.
The tradition of gathering every year to show off crops and wares has continued since the 1890s with few exceptions. Although there was a lapse during World War I the fair continued in 1932 when the Cotton Carnival came into being. A noted addition to the fair began this year when a Cotton King was crowned in grand style on the courthouse lawn.
In 1933 a poll of fair visitors indicated that along with local residents, 25 states were represented amongst the fairgoers. Top on the entertainment roster was a community sing-along in which 2,000 school children participated, the crowning of Miss Alfalfa and Miss Apple, and of course the mock battle between the New Mexico National Guard and cadets of NMMI.
By 1931, the Cotton Carnival was so successful that it became known as the Eastern New Mexico State Fair and soon outgrew its facility in the National Guard Armory and surrounding tents near North Main and 11th Street. To accommodate such a grand event, the fair board purchased land southeast of the city limits. The 27th annual fair became the first fair to be held on the current fairgrounds in the year of 1949. Thus the current Eastern New Mexico State Fair was born.
Over the years we have witnessed the evolution of local cowboys
competing in calf-roping events to a full Professional Bullriding Tour. We have seen the Junior Livestock sale become the largest event of its kind in the state. We have had the home economic skills of farmers’ wives grace the displays and we have played host to entrepreneurs from all over the globe.
From the time of the Alfalfa Palace-style fairs to the Chaves County Cotton Carnival to the current day Eastern New Mexico State Fair, one thing has remained the same: the focus of the fair is community. Whether gathering to compare crop techniques, to support the youth of 4-H and FFA, or to delight in the sights, tastes, and experiences of the midway, there is something for everyone at the Eastern New Mexico State Fair.
Come be a part of history in the making as we look forward to next year’s fair and beyond.
• There were once two parades held during the fair: the opening day parade and the “Old-Timers’ Parade.”
• In the 1890s children under 15 were invited to enter a burro race, the winner received $10.
• The Chaves County Cotton Carnival is rumored to have acquired this name because fair officials ‘wanted each word of the title to begin with the letter C!
• At the time of the first “Alfalfa Fair” a business lot in town could be bought for between $100 and $500.
• In 1933, 100 Mescalero Apache Native Americans lived on the fairgrounds in teepees exhibiting baskets and beadwork.
• Fruit was the main crop in the Pecos Valley before cotton and alfalfa took over. In 1937 a devastating frost ended most of the commercial fruit crops.
• In 1939 the fair hosted Tidwell Shows. The truck hauling the performing elephant broke down in Lubbock.
Dates & Times subject to change
Fair Week October 3 - 8
CARNIVAL
Monday & Saturday
12:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Tuesday – Friday
4:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
COMMERCIAL BUILDING
Monday & Saturday
12:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Tuesday – Friday
4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Monday – Saturday
Commercial Building
NASCAR Experience
Sunday, October 2nd, 2022
8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Arts and Crafts building
Receive cut flowers / Horticulture and petite designs for flower show A
9:00 a.m.
Queen Contest Contestant Check in and Orientation. Photogenic pictures will be taken at this time.
10:00 a.m.
Queen Contest: Judges Orientation
11:00 a.m.
Queen Contest: Personal Interviews
12:00 p.m.
Queen Contest: Luncheon (Will need an approximate head count)
1:00 p.m.
Queen Contest: Personality Competition 30%, Speech 20%, Modeling 10%, Impromptu Questions 10%.
Horsemanship 30% will begin approximately 1 hour after completion of the Personality portion of the contest. Approximately 1 hour after Horsemanship, Coronation will take place. After coronation all girls are invited to go to the parade Monday morning to ride on the float.
5 p.m.
MEAT PEN RABBIT SHOW
Monday, October 3rd, 2022
8 a.m.
RABBIT SHOW CONTINUED
10 a.m. PARADE
11 a.m.
POULTRY SHOW
12:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Arts and Crafts building
Historical Photo scavenger hunt w/prizes Make it & take it crafts
Flower show A
3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Roswell Home Garden Club Bees make it & take it Crafts / Exhibit.
1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Dan Dan The Farmer Man
2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Mythic Creatures
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Dan Dan The Farmer Man
5:00 p.m.
DAIRY HEIFER SHOW
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Mythic Creatures
7 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Dan Dan The Farmer Man
8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Mythic Creatures
Tuesday, October 4th, 2022
8:00 a.m.
MARKET SWINE SHOW
4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Arts and Crafts building
Historical Photo scavenger hunt w/prizes
Make it & take it crafts
Flower show A
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Dan Dan The Farmer Man
5:00 p.m.
MARKET GOAT SHOW (Or immediately following swine show)
BREEDING DOE SHOW (Immediately following swine show)
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Mythic Creatures
7:00 p.m. CONCERT
Austin Van Brought to you by Pinnacle Propane
7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Dan Dan The Farmer Man
8:30 pm - 9:30pm
Mythic Creatures
10:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Dan Dan The Farmer Man
Wednesday, October 5th, 2022
Admission is free for our senior guests 55+ all day!
Please park at MAIN GATE (Gate 2) ONLY!
A trolly will be available for your convenience. Special events for seniors begin at 3 p.m. This is prior to gates opening to the public at 4 p.m.
Please call the fair office for more information.
8:00 a.m.
MARKET LAMB SHOW
1:00 p.m.
POULTRY SHOWMANSHIP
2:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Arts and Crafts building
- Historical Photo scavenger hunt w/prizes
- Make it & take it crafts 2 p.m. - 9 p.m.
- Artesia garden club make it & take it flower crafts / Exhibit 2 - 4 p.m.
- Flower show A
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Mythic Creatures
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Dan Dan The Farmer Man
6:00 p.m.
CONCERT
Brothers Walker
Brought to you by Read and Stephens Inc
7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Mythic Creatures
8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Dan Dan The Farmer Man
10:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Mythic Creatures
Thursday, October 6th, 2022
8:00 a.m.
BEEF HEIFER SHOW
8:30 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Arts and Crafts building
- Release cut flowers/ horticulture but NOT petite designs
- Intake for flower show B – Standard Designs and container grown plants
9:30 a.m.
MARKET BEEF SHOW
NM Bred show to follow
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Dan Dan The Farmer Man
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
NMSU CONTEST
4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Arts and Crafts building
- Historical photo scavenger hunt w/prizes
- Make it & Take it Crafts 4 p.m. - 9 p.m.
- Flower show B
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Mythic Creatures
6:30 p.m.
Parade Trophy Awarded
7:00 p.m.
CONCERT
Frank Ray with Bri Bagwell
7 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Dan Dan The Farmer Man
8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Mythic Creatures
10:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Dan Dan The Farmer Man
Friday, October 7th, 2022
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Mythic Creatures
4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Arts and Crafts building
- Historical photo scavenger hunt w/prizes
- Make it & Take it Crafts 4 p.m. - 9 p.m.
- Flower show B
6:00 p.m.
CONCERT Kolby Cooper
Brought to you by Pecos Valley Production
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Dan Dan The Farmer Man
7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Mythic Creatures
8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Dan Dan The Farmer Man
10:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Mythic Creatures
Saturday, October 8th, 2022
8:00 a.m.
BUYERS BREAKFAST
9:00 a.m.
JUNIOR LIVESTOCK SALE
12:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Arts and Crafts building
- Historical photo scavenger hunt w/prizes
- Make it & Take it Crafts 4 p.m. - 9 p.m.
- Morning Graden club of Roswell
Caterpillar and Butterfly Make & take it
Crafts / Exhibit 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
- Flower show B
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Mythic Creatures
2:30 p.m. -
-
Sunday, October 9th, 2022 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Arts and Crafts building
Release of entries including flower show items (container grown plants, petite designs, Standard designs)
1505 W. Second St. 575.622.9700
The Eastern New Mexico State Fair this year celebrates 100 years of agriculture, parades and concerts when it gets underway on Oct. 3, but the celebration of the area’s products goes back even farther than that.
The theme of this year’s parade is “A Celebration of 100 Years of ENMSF.” But when the fair originally started in 1922, it was known as the Chaves County Cotton Carnival.
A fair had been part of Chaves County culture even before then, according to the 1964 book “Fifty Years of Roswell History 1867-1917” by a local educator, James D. Shinkle.
According to Shinkle’s book, by 1892, there had been progress in and around Roswell in establishing agriculture and orchards. Community leaders decided that a fair was needed to help promote the industry as well as Roswell and Chaves County.
They formed the Southeastern New Mexico and Pecos Valley Fair Association, and the first fair took place in an area that was then northwest of town on land that is now the Nancy Lopez Golf Course at Spring River and the old municipal airport.
The highlight of that first fair was the “Alfalfa Palace,” where exhibits were displayed. In the book “Reminiscences of Roswell Pioneers,” also by Shinkle, a Mrs. R.S. Hamilton recalled it was 80 by 90 feet and constructed of alfalfa bales to look like a castle, complete with battlements on top.
According to the June 24, 1931, Roswell Daily Record, the Chaves County Cotton Carnival officially became the Eastern New Mexico State Fair that year after the Legislature and local board approved the change. It was
celebrated as the ninth-annual Eastern New Mexico State Fair and continued an already established tradition of kicking off with a parade on Main Street. The fairgrounds at the time were located on North Main Street near the Spring River.
Both the Chaves County Cotton Carnival and the Eastern New Mexico State Fair featured agriculture exhibits, livestock shows, domestic arts, a rodeo and a carnival. The 1931 fair featured a football game between New Mexico Military Institute and New Mexico School of Mines. Portales sent a 40-piece band to perform and even Amarillo, Texas, sent a delegation.
By the 1950s, the fair moved to its current location, which was known then as Fair Park. After the opening parade, cars crowded the “new” Dexter Highway to get into the grounds after the parade, according to the Oct. 6, 1953, Daily Record. That year, a new dairy facility was constructed, holding up to 200 head of cattle and featuring a modern milking parlor.
The Eastern New Mexico State Fair is also the oldest among the four state fairs running today.
In Albuquerque, a territorial fair was begun in 1881 and became a state fair in 1911 in recognition of New Mexico’s impending statehood the following year. However, World War I put a stop to that fair. The New Mexico State Fair at its present location was begun in 1938.
The Southern New Mexico State Fair in Las Cruces celebrates its 56th year this year, and the Southwestern New Mexico State Fair in Deming marks its 76th year.
Juno Ogle can be reached at 575622-7710, ext. 205, or at reporter04@ rdrnews.com.
Eastern NM State Fair Wright’s Amusement Rides
Come One Come All!
Gate admission: monday - saturday:
adults: $12 (aGes 13 and up)
Children: $8 (3-12 years - Children 2 & under are Free)
seniors: $8 (55 and up) Free on Wednesdays (absolutely no open toed shoes)
Wristbands - Unlimited Rides
Monday 12:00pm – Close $35 Wristband
Tuesday 4:00pm – Close Family Fun Night - $25 Wristband
Wednesday 4:00pm – Close Dollar Night All Rides $1.00 Ea. or $35 Wristband
Thursday 4:00pm – Close Canned Food Night: Bring 2 cans of food get wristband for $25
Friday 4:00pm – Close $35 Wristband
Saturday 12:00pm – Midnight $35 Wristband
Come and join in the fun, something for everyone!
that’s become federal judges, we’ve had business owners, we’ve had a lot of good, influential people that helped Eastern New Mexico State Fair evolve into what it is now,” he said.
The history of the fair is something Duffey knows about, having been involved in the fair since 1976, when he came to Chaves County as a New Mexico State University Extension Agent.
“I’ve been directly involved with the fair continually since ’76 in one capacity or another,” he said.
Working as the 4-H Extension agent wasn’t his first involvement with the fair, though, as he showed livestock in his youth.
“I started showing in 1960 as a firstyear 4-H’er. Basically I showed until I graduated from high school,” he said.
pigs in a grassy field on the fairgrounds. A large show ring that was constructed for livestock was taken down by wind one year, he said.
“The commercial building and educational building are the only two buildings that are there now that were there when I was a kid,” he said. “Everything else has been done basically since I came here in ’76 and most of that stuff has been done in the later ’80s to now,” he said.
“The old sheep barns and cattle barns and all that were originally a hangar from the air base,” he said.
When it was operating, Walker Air Base was involved with the fair and it was something Duffey said he looked forward to.
“I was always thrilled to come to the eastern fair because that was when the
base was here. They would bring paratroopers from the base,” he said.
The paratroopers would jump from planes high above and land on the south part of the fairgrounds, he said.
“I thought that was fantastic. They’d have smoke on sometimes and they’d freefall for quite a while before they’d ever open their parachutes. If the weather was bad it was a real disappointment because we didn’t get to watch it,” he said.
“It’s probably some of the more memorable times as far as when I was a kid,” he said.
Juno Ogle can be reached at 575622-7710, ext. 205, or at reporter04@ rdrnews.com.
By Juno Ogle Roswell Daily Record
Livestock has been a passion that James Duffey has brought to the Eastern New Mexico State Fair but he well knows that his contributions over the years are just a small part of the fair’s success.
“If you look at the history of the fair board members, we’ve had people
Today, the livestock shows are open to all New Mexico counties, but back then it was open to only people from the region.
“The livestock was only from the 13 counties and people kept petitioning to come to the eastern fair, and we kept adding counties. We finally just said anybody in the state of New Mexico can come,” he said.
The fairgrounds have changed throughout the years, Duffey said. He remembers his first two years showing
Some of her favorite goings-on at the event involve gardening, flower arranging and baking — though she admits to being a better cook than baker.
Ragsdale started off by being in charge of the fair’s annual parade in 2006. It’s a volunteer position that requires an eye for detail and a willingness — and ability — to be accommodating.
This is because there are usually some people who miss the entry dead line. Like the fair, the parade is impor tant to the community and every effort is made to ensure there’s a place for everyone in the line-up.
Pretty much everything closes up around town “so people can attend the parade,” Ragsdale noted.
the agriculture community and share their livelihood with southeast New Mexico.”
The fairgrounds are privately owned but the organization relies on its relationship with local government, which is non-monetary.
Ragsdale acknowledged the efforts all of the people who participate in the fair with their entries, the shows and the many volunteers.
idea of the Women’s Project which supports organizations that assist with women’s needs and to acknowledge outstanding women in the community.
She also volunteered at the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art.
“I’m so encouraged by how many people support the fair. It’s what keeps me involved,” Ragsdale said. “I hope everybody comes out to support us
By Terri Harber Roswell Daily RecordRoswell attorney Adriann Ragsdale first became involved as a volunteer with the Eastern New Mexico State Fair because of her former law partner, the late Phil Brewer, a person long associated with the fair and many other local causes.
Brewer was passionate about education and giving back to the community, Ragsdale said.
She also recognized the importance of this annual event to residents. While a youth living in Henderson, Texas, a small community on the east side of that state, she became involved in leadership and volunteer activities.
“I’ve always been a person who enjoys giving back,” she said. “And I love the fair. It’s a special thing.”
This year’s grand marshal, Larry Hobson, was a long-time board pres ident and is now the fair’s president emeritus.
He was the person to ask her if she was interested in becoming a board member. Ragsdale continues to over see the parade even as a member of the fair board of directors, which she joined in 2016.
“I’m the only girl on the board and the guys are so respectful and kind,” she said. “Everybody plays to their strengths. My strength is the business side of the fair.”
For example, she has been helping with entertainment, such as securing concert acts and the NASCAR simula tor, which is a new attraction this year that she believes will be popular.
“We’re a different kind of business,” she said about the fair. “We’re a nonprofit and our goal is to support
This year will mark 100 years of the ENMSF. The community event will expand time set aside for area people with special needs to enjoy the carnival — and many other attractions — during Special Needs Day on Tuesday, Oct. 4.
Hundreds of people, mostly youths, will have a few hours that Tuesday to enjoy themselves and take all the time needed to get on and off rides as well as see the livestock and take in exhibits. Some exhibits won’t be opened until later in the day, such as the art exhibit site.
“Years ago, these visitors only got 30 minutes for the carnival,” said Leslie Robertson, office manager for the fair. “That’s not enough.”
Wright’s Amusements, the company that operates the carnival at the fair, agreed with that assessment, so they also sought to have more time for those attending Special Needs Day to enjoy carnival attractions, Robertson said.
Carnival workers “need more time to load and unload the rides,” she also explained.
The longer time span will allow for more of these residents to have a varied and traditional fair experience without the large crowds and long lines.
This is especially important because the carnival will be bigger this year — large enough that it will need to be split into two large sections to accommodate the additional rides, Robertson said.
Being able to see the many types of
livestock entered in competitions and being able to ask the young people in FFA and 4-H about the animals they raised can be a fun learning experience, she pointed out.
The youths showing animals are from across the state.
Robertson said time has been set aside especially for these residents to come to the fair for at least 15 years — except in 2020, when the fair was canceled because of the pandemic.
Fair organizers also partnered with Leprino Foods to construct asphalt pathways leading to and from most fairground locations.
“People using wheelchairs, walkers and pushing strollers will be able to navigate the grounds much easier this year,” she noted.
The grant source for the pathways will continue to be available in the future, so there is potential for additional asphalt paths to connect attractions, Robertson said.
The deadline for making arrangements for groups to attend during Special Needs Day was Sept. 25.
The fair runs Oct. 3 through 8 at the fairgrounds, 2500 SE Main St., Roswell.
Go to enmsf.com for details about the fair. The site will be updated as opening day approaches.
Reporter Terri Harber can be reached at 575-622-7710, ext. 308 or reporter03@rdrnews.com.
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1621 N. Washington Ave. Roswell, NM 88201
Siavash Karimian, MD
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Phone (575) 625-8430
IN-PERSON & TELEMEDICINE SAME APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE
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Those age 55 and older can get into the Eastern New Mexico State Fair for Senior Day events on Wednesday, Oct. 5 from 3 to 5:30 p.m.
“Socialization is important,” said Sheri Jones, the southeast regional coordinator for the New Mexico Aging and Long Term Service Department, Ombudsman Program. She uses the phrase describing people who are welcomed to this event as, “age 55 and better.”
While the previous Senior Day was planned in about a week, those organizing it — such as Jones — were able to take more time.
“It will be a blast,” she remarked.
Parking and admission will be free for these fairgoers during this event.
An old-fashioned trolley will also be free for seniors to travel between the parking lot at Gate 2, the Arts & Crafts Building and the New Building. This trolley service is available from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Volunteers will be on site to help those who need assistance and a limited number of wheelchairs will be available.
“Seniors have been stuck in their homes and away from the public for so long because of the pandemic,” Jones pointed out. “We want to get them back out.”
People who might hesitate because of the difficulty moving on the gravel
will be pleasantly surprised to see that some of the fairground paths have been paved — an upgrade especially helpful for people in wheelchairs and walkers.
There will be 20 vendors who deal with interests relevant to seniors and they will be offering information about what they do. These groups range from volunteer opportunities to Senior Olympics to health services.
A variety of activities and free items available are being given out during the seniors event at the fair.
Vendors will provide a door prize and a game for these fairgoers to play.
Jones highlighted another activity the vendors will make possible: “An old-fashioned cakewalk.”
Each vendor will bring a small cake or a dozen cupcakes for this sweet
giveaway.
There will be more free items. The Retired Senior and Volunteer Program, RSVP, will be serving hot dogs and bottled water with which to wash them down, for example.
And while these fairgoers are out having fun, they can get a flu shot from Albertsons Market. The shots will be charged to insurance, Jones also said.
People who take the trolley should keep in mind when that free service ends.
The Eastern New Mexico State Fair is Oct. 3-8.
Reporter Terri Harber can be reached at 575-622-7710, ext. 308 or reporter03@rdrnews.com.
Stop by the Eastern New Mexico Fair Grounds and see the model trains. With two layouts to view and several trains running down the tracks, it’s like an
adventure.
A ski resort and Christmas village has been added. For more information on the model trains, call 575749-8620.
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