Spring Break in the Taos, New Mexico Area

With the ski season winding down, it's not common knowledge that March is the best snow fall month in New Mexico. And there are many great activities happening at Northern New Mexico's ski resort towns during February and March. For snow sports enthusiasts, it is the Spring Break destination of choice. But that doesn't mean you have to miss out on Mardi Gras or the beach!

Those seeking world class skiing are sure to find their niche at Taos Ski Valley, and there is no better ski destination for families and those who want a more relaxed ski vacation experience than Red River or Angel Fire. Each of these resorts sponsors Spring Break related events, ending their seasons with the traditional Pond Skimming. So bring your suits, tubes and pool toys...and don't forget your skis or snowboards!

Read more about Spring Break Events in Northern New Mexico

Mardi Gras in the Mountains: Red River, New Mexico

No one knows for sure how Mardi Gras came to the Mountains. One myth has it that a gold prospector from Louisiana made his way to the Red River Valley just before the turn of the 20th century. Unaccustomed to being confined to the indoors for the winter, the miner found some much needed relief from cabin fever by introducing Mardi Gras to his fellow miners. Legend has it that the dance halls of Red River City were soon jumping with the sounds of squeezebox and Cajun fiddle.

At least that’s the way one story goes. But for sure...

Mardi Gras is such a big event in Louisiana, that schools are closed for the week, giving Louisiana families a late winter or early spring vacation. Over the years, more and more Louisiana folks have chosen to spend the week before Mardi Gras enjoying a ski holiday in Red River. In 1992, Red River decided to honor their visitors from Louisiana by throwing them their own Mardi Gras-Away-From-Home. And those folks from the Delta couldn’t have picked a better mountain town to throw them a Mardi Gras celebration, because Red River is a town that knows how to party!

Today, Red River’s “Mardi Gras in the Mountains“ is a six-day celebration with over 50 events inspired by the Louisiana Cajun traditions, ending on the official day of Mardi Gras. It’s a fun time for locals and visitors alike. Often, Spring Break will overlap Mardi Gras as well, making for an extra special vacation for all...but it’s cold in Red River, and there are lots of small fry about, so there’s a nix on begging for beads while topless. Luckily, there’s plenty of the shiny treasures to go around.

Read More about Mardi Gras in the Mountains

Hot Chili Days, Cool Mountain Nights

It’s the time of year that lends a fiery passion to New Mexico. Time for chile pickin’, chile roastin’, chile dryin’, and chili cook-offs.

Not surprisingly, Red River makes a big to-do out of it all, with its annual “Hot Chili Days, Cool Mountain Nights” Music Festival & Cook-off. This year the festival runs August 18th through 20th, and features the “Red River Red” CASI Chili Cook-off, the New Mexico State Green Chile Championship, and a Lone Star BBQ Society Cook-off. Well, that should be enough red or green chile for just about anyone!

This spicy three-day celebration combines a singer/songwriter music festival at venues throughout Red River from Thursday through Saturday, with multiple cook-offs in Brandenburg Park on Saturday.

The cook-off this year is the CASI (Chili Appreciation Society International) Four Corners Regional Cook-off, so Red River is expecting more chili cooks than ever. They are also hosting the Lonestar BBQ Society for their third cook-off in Red River, and are once again having the New Mexico State Green Chile Championship.

There will be a new overall “People’s Choice” category this year allowing for a huge prize (with cash) for the favorite entry in the PC category. This event is open to numerous recipes, including salsa, chili, green chile, jalapeno poppers, cobbler, beans, or whatever the cooks might dream up.

So make your way to Red River this weekend for some hot food and cool music.

4th of July: Independence Day!

Celebrating Independence Day is a time-honored tradition, even in the smallest of American towns. We don’t watch the biggest and fanciest parade on television on July 4th. We line the streets of our own hometowns and watch our neighbors as we celebrate the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. On this day we honor the years of hard work, sacrifice and tremendous risks taken by our Founding Fathers to create the document which signaled a new country, a new hope, and a grand experiment in governing.

In Northern New Mexico, there are two tiny towns which preserve this tradition in their own unique way. Their hometown Independence Day parades are well-loved, and participated in by nearly as many who watch the festivities.

Arroyo Seco
Arroyo Seco, New Mexico, is located seven miles north of Taos. It is home to approximately 1,500 residents. As you are about to enter the village of Arroyo Seco, a road sign announces an upcoming ”congested area.” And on July 4th, a truer statement cannot be made. This usually sleepy village, filled with wonderful little galleries, shops and eateries, is transformed on the 4th of July. It starts early in the day, when lines of cars, pedestrians with dogs, and people on horseback can be seen making their way to Arroyo Seco. To us locals, this is as much a part of the 4th of July as the parade itself.

And the parade! Colorful floats, banners, unique costumes, more people on horseback, burros pulling carts, and a variety of other animals are as likely to be a part of the parade as the local fire department.

Red River
Set high in Northern New Mexico’s Sangre de Cristo Range of the southern Rocky Mountains, Red River was a booming mining camp in 1895, with strikes of gold, silver, and copper swelling its population to an estimated 3,000. A few years later, the mines went bust, and the majority of the camp residents moved on.
But the inhabitants of this gem of the Enchanted Circle are a hardy breed, and so Red River began its new identity as a resort town in ernest some 80 years ago.

Today, with a full-time population hovering around 500, the residents of Red River see long, cold winters, and more than their share of the “great indoors.” This has prompted the good people of this little town to celebrate everything there is to celebrate, and when they’re done celebrating, they find more things to celebrate! And in that spirit, an Independence Day parade has marched through the town of Red River for more than 70 years.

The parade does the folks of Red River justice, being a creative combination of good old-fashioned Old West mining town spirit and a kick-up-your-heels good time. It’s colorful and real “hometown,” with kids and dogs participating the same as floats and fire trucks. And when it’s over... it’s not over yet! Red River is a little town that does everything in a BIG way. After the parade, viewers stroll down to Brandenburg Park, where there is are games at the Community House, live music, delicious food, refreshing beverages, and good old fashioned family fun!

So if you find yourself in Northern New Mexico on the 4th of July, make a day of it in Arroyo Seco or Red River.

More on the 4th of July in Arroyo Seco and Red River

Videos:

Red River 4th of July Parade

Arroyo Seco 4th of July Parade

Annual Rivers and Brews Blues Fest

Tucked away high up in the Southern Rockies, Red River, New Mexico is a tiny little town that does everything in a big way. This former mining town has been a summer resort location for nigh unto a century, luring vacationers with its cool, fresh mountain air, spectacular alpine vistas, wildlife, and recreation opportunities.

This weekend marks the third year of the Rivers and Brews Fest, bringing together great blues music, delicious food and micro-brewed beer, for a fun getaway in the mountains.

Events start with an informal jam session on Friday night. The Rivers and Brews Fest itself begins on Saturday, and takes place by the Red River in the middle of town. A food court is set up offering lots of great food from local restaurants, along with a number of fine selections from New Mexico’s oldest microbrewery.
   
Saturday night the Red River Trolley will entertain you with music as it transports you to various music venues at Red River’s favorite bars.

So bring a lawn chair or blanket, sunscreen, and your camera, and come on out for a great day of blues and fun in Red River!

Red River Memorial Day Motorcycle Rally

Q: What has 30,000 motorcycles, 100 vendors selling food, leather and motorcycle accessories, live music in the glorious Southern Rocky Mountains, and a tour to benefit the Make-a-Wish Foundation?

A: It’s the biggest motorcycle rally in New Mexico, and a nearly three decade tradition in the little town of Red River: the Red River Memorial Day Weekend Motorcycle Rally.

 

Red River is one of New Mexico’s most popular summer vacation destinations due to its breathtaking scenery and cool mountain temperatures. Located in the high peaks of the Sangre de Cristo range of the Rocky Mountains, Red River is surrounded by over one million acres of National Forest, offering a wealth of recreational activities and some spectacular mountain rides; including the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway, one of Northern New Mexico’s most popular day trips. This more than 80-mile trip takes you through Eagle Nest, Angel Fire, Taos and Questa, with amazing views of both alpine forest and high desert plateaus. For explorers, this beautiful ride has a lot to offer: the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Angel Fire, the oldest continually inhabited pueblo in America (Taos Pueblo), the Taos Gorge, the DH Lawrence Ranch, Wild and Scenic Rivers, and Valle Vidal.

There are plenty of scheduled activities in Red River, with new ones added every year, so get on the road and head to New Mexico to kick off a great summer of riding in Red River, New Mexico.

More about the Red River Memorial Day Motorcycle Rally

More about the Enchanted Circle

Spring Break in the Taos, New Mexico Area

With the ski season winding down, it's not common knowledge that March is the best snow fall month in New Mexico. And there are many great activities happening at Northern New Mexico's ski resort towns during February and March. For snow sports enthusiasts, it is the Spring Break destination of choice. But that doesn't mean you have to miss out on Mardi Gras or the beach!

Those seeking world class skiing are sure to find their niche at Taos Ski Valley, and there is no better ski destination for families and those who want a more relaxed ski vacation experience than Red River or Angel Fire. Each of these resorts sponsors Spring Break related events, ending their seasons with the traditional Pond Skimming. So bring your suits, tubes and pool toys...and don't forget your skis or snowboards!

Read more about Spring Break Events in Northern New Mexico

Mardi Gras in the Mountains: Red River, New Mexico

No one knows for sure how Mardi Gras came to the Mountains. One myth has it that a gold prospector from Louisiana made his way to the Red River Valley just before the turn of the 20th century. Unaccustomed to being confined to the indoors for the winter, the miner found some much needed relief from cabin fever by introducing Mardi Gras to his fellow miners. Legend has it that the dance halls of Red River City were soon jumping with the sounds of squeezebox and Cajun fiddle. At least that's the way one story goes. But for sure...

Mardi Gras is such a big event in Louisiana, that schools are closed for the week, giving Louisiana families a late winter or early spring vacation. Over the years, more and more Louisiana folks have chosen to spend the week before Mardi Gras enjoying a ski holiday in Red River. In 1992, Red River decided to honor their visitors from Louisiana by throwing them their own Mardi Gras-Away-From-Home. And those folks from the Delta couldn't have picked a better mountain town to throw them a Mardi Gras celebration, because Red River is a town that knows how to party!

Today, Red River’s "Mardi Gras in the Mountains" is a six-day celebration with over 50 events inspired by the Louisiana Cajun traditions, ending on the official day of Mardi Gras. It’s a fun time for locals and visitors alike. Often, Spring Break will overlap Mardi Gras as well, making for an extra special vacation for all...but it’s cold in Red River, and there are lots of small fry about, so there’s a nix on begging for beads while topless. Luckily, there’s plenty of the shiny treasures to go around.

Read More about Mardi Gras in the Mountains

Red River Torchlight Procession

Red River is one of Northern New Mexico's only resort towns which was not originally built as a resort. The area was a gold mining camp high up in the Sangre de Cristos, and was founded as Red River City in 1895. The rugged character of the people who once populated the mining camp is evidenced today by the heart and attitude of this little town.

Red River is a tiny town that does everything in a BIG way. The whole town comes out to celebrate every holiday they can think of, and when they're done with those, they create even more! A July 4th parade and annual Blues Festival? Ah ... that's typical. How about an annual biker's rally, a six day Mardi Gras celebration with over 50 events, and a snowman building competition? Or perhaps you'd like to try your luck fishing for a tagged trout worth $10,000 in the Fishing Derby, or enter the Chile Cook-Off? And that's only the beginning. Just about any time you visit Red River, you'll find the town happily preparing for or participating in one of their fun events.

An ongoing winter event in Red River is the Torchlight Parade, which is held most Saturdays at nightfall throughout the ski season. Locals and visitors alike gather at the base of the mountain to watch the ski patrol snake down the slopes, torches in hand. Fireworks punctuate the mountain dance, with "Oohs" and "Ahhs" as accompaniment.

In this video, you can watch as a small point of light on the mountain becomes a graceful snaking dance:

See the Red River Torchlight Parade Video

The crowd is so enthusiastic, you might need to turn the volume down!

Prior to the Torchlight Parade is the Saturday Night Rail Jam. Skiers and snowboarders show off the latest tricks and stunts. Everyone is invited to participate in this freestyle show, and this is something the kids will definitely want to check out. The fun begins Saturday evenings at approximately 5:30 p.m. at the bottom of the Platinum Chair at the Red River Ski Area.

And remember, in Red River, no matter the weather, there's always snow on the slopes!

Click here for more on events at the Red River Ski Area

The Snow Man Cometh

In the mountains north of Taos, NM, locals and visitors alike keep watch for snow. This has been an annual occupation for many years in Red River, where most locals ski, and skiers, boarders and bladers come for family vacations, weekend getaways and spring break. But this year, there's a new purpose in their keen observance ... it's the first ever (and annual) Cover Red River with Snowmen competition, sponsored by Resort Realty and Red River Vacation Rentals.

This is a winter-long event, and being the first, there may not be many snowmen wearing top hats ... perhaps resulting in more snowmen in 10 gallon hats and a greater population of “snow women” this year! In the future, locals will have time to lay in supplies. But Diane Smith, of Red River Vacation Rentals, has been providing visitors with a basket of the basics, including said top hat, carrots and charcoal, as well as “snow people” building instructions.

It's a La Niña year, meaning less snow and more beautiful sunny days. But we have recently been blessed with a big snow storm and a large population of "snow folk" may suddenly appear. As with other fun events in Red River, “Covering Red River in Snowmen” will probably become a much anticipated winter activity. And just think of what fun it will be to take a drive through Red River to go "snow folk" spotting!

Click here for more about Red River Vacation Rentals