A MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR
I want to kick this month off by reflecting on the values of freedom our country was built upon. As we celebrate Independence Day, I want us all to be reminded of our wonderful opportunities and reflect on the ultimate sacrifice made by those who have served and continue to serve our country. Our heartfelt thanks go out to the veterans in our community, whose bravery and dedication have ensured the liberties we all cherish today. Happy Independence Day to all!
I am excited to host my first 4th of July Celebration as Mayor. This year’s celebration will be spectacular. Carlsbad is known for having the best fireworks display in the area, and this year’s will be no exception. The City, its community partners, and our wonderful sponsors have made this year’s celebration possible. We know that everyone from our community will be welcoming towards visitors and neighboring communities that may join us. Especially our neighbors from the Ruidoso community, many of whom have not been able to return home.
We are deeply saddened by the tragedy of the Ruidoso Fires, and our thoughts and prayers continue with all the evacuees. Seeing the overwhelming love and humanity between all the local communities—Roswell, Artesia, Carlsbad, Hobbs, and Loving- has been wonderful. Many of our residents have taken it upon themselves to do as much as possible to collect donations or provide shelter for evacuees, and I want to thank you all. This sense of community makes southeast New Mexico an amazing place to live.
As we enter a week of celebrations, please respect your neighbors, yourself, and your pets when lighting fireworks. In 2023, the Carlsbad Fire Department responded to 25 fires during the week of the 4th, likely started by fireworks. We are still living through a drought and ask that you celebrate responsibly. We ask
that you please keep your pets safe during this time. More pets get lost on July 4th than any other day of the year due to the anxiety caused by the loud and sudden noises.
We have partnered with Affirming Hearts, the Age Friendly Committee, and other community members to host a back-to-school bash on July 27th for the students and their families. This celebration will take place down at the beach area. Affirming Hearts will hand out backpacks to those in need. Anyone interested in being a vendor or sponsoring the backpack giveaway can contact Amy Dugas. The Age-Friendly Committee will host a back-to-school miniature golf tournament for ages 5-8, 9-11, and 12-15. Registration is now available at the Carlsbad Miniature Golf Course (901 Muscatel Ave).
The Carlsbad Water Park will be free that day starting at 11 a.m. Jerry Florez has found food vendors to have at the beach parking lot. Families can support local businesses and purchase food while they are parked there for the day. We are very excited to provide a fun, activity-filled day for the families in our community. We hope to see you there!
Before concluding, I would like to extend a warm welcome to Ayana Estrada, who has been hired as the City of Carlsbad's deputy city attorney. We are confident she will work well alongside our City Attorney, Denise Madrid Boyea. Thank you all for your continued support and enthusiasm for Carlsbad. Together, we are making our town a better place to live, work, and enjoy.
Sincerely,
CarlsbadMayorRickLopez
Tues. July 2nd:
JULY EVENTS & DATES
Stitcher’s Anonymous at Carlsbad Public Library
Wed. July 3rd:
Crafts & Games at Carlsbad Public Library
Thurs. July 4th:
2024 Independence Day Parade
2024 Carlsbad Independence Day
Celebration at Carlsbad Beach
Downtown Farmers Market in front of the Eddy County Courthouse Lawn
Fri. July 5th:
Family Storytime at Carlsbad Public Library
Tween Time at Carlsbad Public Library
GLOW Mini Golf Tournament at Lake Carlsbad Golf Course
Sat. July 6th:
ASL Signing Time at Carlsbad Public Library
Sat. July 6th continued:
Downtown Farmers Market in front of the Eddy County Courthouse Lawn
Mon. July 8th:
Noah’s Ark Animal Shelter Spay/Neuter Clinic
Tues. July 9th:
Science Spectrum Live Animal Show at Carlsbad Public Library
Noah’s Ark Animal Shelter Spay/Neuter Clinic
Wed. July 10th:
Crafts & Games at Carlsbad Public Library
Teen Hour at Carlsbad Public Library
Noah’s Ark Animal Shelter Spay/Neuter Clinic
Thurs. July 11th:
Baby Storytime at Carlsbad Public Library
Lego STEM Time at Carlsbad Public Library
Thurs. July 11th continued:
Downtown Farmers Market in front of the Eddy County Courthouse Lawn
Noah’s Ark Animal Shelter Spay/Neuter Clinic
Fri. July 12th:
Family Storytime at Carlsbad Public Library
Tween Time at Carlsbad Public Library
Sat. July 13th:
Dungeons & Dragons at Carlsbad Public Library
Tues. July 16th:
Bureau Land of Management at Carlsbad Public Library
Stitcher’s Anonymous at Carlsbad Public Library
Wed. July 17th:
Crafts & Games at Carlsbad Public Library
Teen Hour at Carlsbad Public Library
Brews & Books at Carlsbad Public Library
Thurs. July 18th:
Baby Storytime at Carlsbad Public Library
Carlsbad Caverns at Carlsbad Public Library
Downtown Farmers Market in front of the Eddy County Courthouse Lawn
Fri. July 19th:
Pint Size Polka at Carlsbad Public Library
Movies in the Park at Halagueno Arts
Park - Atlantis: The Lost Empire
Sat. July 20th:
Downtown Farmers Market in front of the Eddy County Courthouse Lawn
Baby Animal Day at Balzano Pumpkin Patch
Tues. July 23rd:
Kindergarten Readiness Party at Carlsbad Public Library
79th Annual Eddy County Fair
Wed. July 24th:
Crafts & Games at Carlsbad Public
Library
Teen Hour at Carlsbad Public Library
Largest Sunflower Contest 2024 at Eddy County Fair
79th Annual Eddy County Fair
Thurs. July 25th:
Baby Storytime at Carlsbad Public Library
Magic in the Library at Carlsbad Public Library
Downtown Farmers Market in front of the Eddy County Courthouse Lawn
79th Annual Eddy County Fair
Fri. July 26th:
Family Storytime at Carlsbad Public Library
Tween Time at Carlsbad Public Library
79th Annual Eddy County Fair
Cinderella at Carlsbad Community Theater
Sat. July 27th:
Back to School Mini Golf Tournament at Lake Carlsbad Golf Course
Back to School Bash at the Beach Bandshell
Free Entry at Carlsbad Water Park
Dungeons & Dragons at Carlsbad
Public Library
Ice Cream Party at Carlsbad Public Library
Cinderella at Carlsbad Community Theater
79th Annual Eddy County Fair
Sun. July 28th:
Cinderella at Carlsbad Community Theater
For more information regarding any of these events or others please visit the official City Events Calander.
CITY COUNCIL
Rick Lopez, Mayor mayor.office@cityofcarlsbadnm.com
Ward 1
Edward Rodriguez | etrodriguez@cityofcarlsbadnm.com
Lisa Anaya-Flores | laflores@cityofcarlsbadnm.com
Ward 2
JJ Chavez | jochavez@cityofcarlsbadnm.com
Jeff Forrest | jjforrest@cityofcarlsbadnm.com
Ward 3
Karla Hamel Niemeier | kjniemeier@cityofcarlsbadnm.com
Mary Garwood | msgarwood@cityofcarlsbadnm.com
Ward 4
Anthony Foreman | arforeman@cityofcarlsbadnm.com
Mark Walterscheid | mewalterscheid@cityofcarlsbadnm.com
CITY ADMINISTRATION
Wendy Austin, Interim City Administrator wdaustin@cityofcarlsbadnm.com
KC Cass, Deputy City Administrator kccass@cityofcarlsbadnm.com
www.cityofcarlsbadnm.com
