If you haven’t been to Socorro lately, you’re in for a surprise. The city in the center of the Rio Grande Valley has a diverse and historical culture, and she wants folks to know about it.
What better way for a community to strut its stuff than to offer visitors a sample of its rich bounty? The third annual SocorroFest on Saturday, Oct. 8 at the historic Plaza, sponsored by the City of Socorro and a host of volunteers, is an opportunity for families and friends to get together and spend the day feasting, dancing, visiting – i.e. just plain having fun.
It’s also a chance for visitors to learn about Socorro and the jewels of her valley: homegrown fruits and vegetables, native food dishes, arts-and-crafts booths, an Indian Market, community tours, an array of fun family activities and a talented lineup of music and entertainment.
A special attraction is the New Mexico Micro Brew and Wine Festival featuring fermented fare from a variety of microbreweries, including the locally-owned Socorro Springs Brewing Company; and fruits of the vine from several wineries.
“Typically it’s either a ‘wine’ fest or a ‘microbrew’ fest, but SocorroFest is the first to put the two together to satisfy everyone’s taste,” said Deborah Dean, Visitor and Tourism Director for the City of Socorro. “We’re expanding to include more family activities as well as arts and craft vendors.”
Plan to start the weekend on Friday evening with an intimate concert at New Mexico Tech’s Macey Center featuring rising star flamenco guitarist Jesse Cook.
“Jesse is a mesmerizing player, with flavors of the middle east and gypsies,” said Ronna Kalish, SocorroFest co-organizer. “He is a Canadian Juno Award winner who has sold more than a million albums. I’m so excited to have him here in Socorro.”
A full day of activities is planned for Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., including arts and crafts booths, food vendors, community tours, an Indian Village with jewelry, Navajo tacos and fry bread, Farmers Market booths and free, live entertainment.
Arts and crafts booths feature fine woodwork, glass bead jewelry, stained glass, pottery, paintings, photography, wrought iron, traditional Southwestern art, fiber arts, demonstrations and more.
Socorro boasts an experienced and diverse group of visual and performing artists, many of whom take their art on the road in New Mexico and the region as ethnic dancers, storytellers and theatrical performers. The area is home to an equally high-quality troupe of singers, musicians and performers, whose repertoire ranges from concert band marches to folk and bluegrass, Spanish, country and rock.
Community tours will showcase some of Socorro’s rich history including the San Miguel Mission, New Mexico Tech’s Mineral Museum and Macey Center Gallery, and the Hammel Museum.
Brewing fine spirits is from a chapter in Socorro’s history dating back to the opening of the Illinois Brewing Company in 1882 at the site of the current Hammel Museum,
Many people – and birds – flock to Socorro to enjoy the hospitable fall weather in the Rio Grande Valley. SocorroFest shares the weekend with the Enchanted Skies Star Party (www.socorro-nm.com/starparty/ (http://www.socorro-nm.com/starparty/)) for the astronomy aficionados.
Other popular attractions in Socorro include Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, the Very Large Array, mountain biking trails on the Quebradas Backcountry Byway, Water Canyon and the New Mexico Tech Golf Course.
“There’s something for everyone, so bring the family and plan to spend the weekend,” said Dean. “This is a wonderful time to get to know Socorro.”
For more information, please contact Deborah Dean at 835-8927 or email her at ddean@socorronm.gov.
What better way for a community to strut its stuff than to offer visitors a sample of its rich bounty? The third annual SocorroFest on Saturday, Oct. 8 at the historic Plaza, sponsored by the City of Socorro and a host of volunteers, is an opportunity for families and friends to get together and spend the day feasting, dancing, visiting – i.e. just plain having fun.
It’s also a chance for visitors to learn about Socorro and the jewels of her valley: homegrown fruits and vegetables, native food dishes, arts-and-crafts booths, an Indian Market, community tours, an array of fun family activities and a talented lineup of music and entertainment.
A special attraction is the New Mexico Micro Brew and Wine Festival featuring fermented fare from a variety of microbreweries, including the locally-owned Socorro Springs Brewing Company; and fruits of the vine from several wineries.
“Typically it’s either a ‘wine’ fest or a ‘microbrew’ fest, but SocorroFest is the first to put the two together to satisfy everyone’s taste,” said Deborah Dean, Visitor and Tourism Director for the City of Socorro. “We’re expanding to include more family activities as well as arts and craft vendors.”
Plan to start the weekend on Friday evening with an intimate concert at New Mexico Tech’s Macey Center featuring rising star flamenco guitarist Jesse Cook.
“Jesse is a mesmerizing player, with flavors of the middle east and gypsies,” said Ronna Kalish, SocorroFest co-organizer. “He is a Canadian Juno Award winner who has sold more than a million albums. I’m so excited to have him here in Socorro.”
A full day of activities is planned for Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., including arts and crafts booths, food vendors, community tours, an Indian Village with jewelry, Navajo tacos and fry bread, Farmers Market booths and free, live entertainment.
Arts and crafts booths feature fine woodwork, glass bead jewelry, stained glass, pottery, paintings, photography, wrought iron, traditional Southwestern art, fiber arts, demonstrations and more.
Socorro boasts an experienced and diverse group of visual and performing artists, many of whom take their art on the road in New Mexico and the region as ethnic dancers, storytellers and theatrical performers. The area is home to an equally high-quality troupe of singers, musicians and performers, whose repertoire ranges from concert band marches to folk and bluegrass, Spanish, country and rock.
Community tours will showcase some of Socorro’s rich history including the San Miguel Mission, New Mexico Tech’s Mineral Museum and Macey Center Gallery, and the Hammel Museum.
Brewing fine spirits is from a chapter in Socorro’s history dating back to the opening of the Illinois Brewing Company in 1882 at the site of the current Hammel Museum,
Many people – and birds – flock to Socorro to enjoy the hospitable fall weather in the Rio Grande Valley. SocorroFest shares the weekend with the Enchanted Skies Star Party (www.socorro-nm.com/starparty/ (http://www.socorro-nm.com/starparty/)) for the astronomy aficionados.
Other popular attractions in Socorro include Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, the Very Large Array, mountain biking trails on the Quebradas Backcountry Byway, Water Canyon and the New Mexico Tech Golf Course.
“There’s something for everyone, so bring the family and plan to spend the weekend,” said Dean. “This is a wonderful time to get to know Socorro.”
For more information, please contact Deborah Dean at 835-8927 or email her at ddean@socorronm.gov.