Come on up to the cool mountains for our Red Hot Fourth Of July celebrations! Plan on taking a week off of work because there’s a lot happening!
Starting off with the most popular event:
When: July 4th, from 3:00pm until about midnight
Where: The Inn of The Mountain Gods.
Festivities begin at 3 p.m. on July 4th.
Activities include (with an all-inclusive wristband available for $10):
- jumping balloons
- rock climbing
- obstacle course slides
- free face painting
- From 5-9 p.m. there will be family friendly live entertainment
Then, capping off the day of star spangled family fun is New Mexico’s largest fireworks display. More than 10,000 fireworks will illuminate the sky above Lake Mescalero. Transportation will be provided from designated pickup locations from 5 p.m. to midnight.
Families can enjoy the largest fireworks display at sunset for free.
When: July 4 – 8
Where: Lincoln County Fairgrounds in Capitan, NM
This is the nation’s largest open rodeo weekend. Capitan was named “One of the best small towns to celebrate Independence Day in New Mexico” by ABC News and Yahoo Travel.
Activities include:
- Parade July 4th at 10:00 am.
- BBQ Cook-off and dinner $10.00 – $15.00
- Traditional Rodeo Nightly with Women’s, Youth, Open Ranch Rodeo daily
- Nightly dances $5.00/ person @ 9:00 pm
- Meet Smokey Bear
- Food
- Shopping
Rodeos are General Admission only. Ticket sales start at box office approximately 2 hours before each event.
- Adult $10
- Seniors & Child 6-12 $6
- Children 5 & under Free
After the horses and cows have been corralled, the Fireworks Extravaganza begins at around 10:30 pm.
The Mescalero Apache Tribal Ceremonial Dances and Rodeo
When: July 4 – 7
Where: The Mescalero Ceremonial Grounds
Price is $3 – $12.
Activities include:
- Dance of the Apache Maidens
- Dance of the Mountain Gods
- Indian Dances
- Traditional and Modern Games
- Free Lunch and Dinner at Ceremonial Grounds
- Native American Arts and Crafts
- Parade July 7 at 10:00 am
Mescalero Apache Fire Rescue Challenge Run July 6 at 8:00 am at The Inn of the Mountain Gods Walking Path. Registration begins at 7:00 am. Call 575-464-3473 for details.
Rodeo at 1:00 pm each day. Mescalero Community Center. Adults $12.00, Children $5.00.
- Bull Riding
- Bareback Riding
- Barrel Racing
- Team Roping
- Calf Roping
- Saddle Bronc
- Wild Horse Races
- $20,000 added money. Books open daily 8:00 am – 11:00 am.
Military Appreciation Weekend at Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino
When: June 29 – July 1.
Where: Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino
The first 200 Veterans that make reservations will receive free seating at the track. There will be a special Armed Forces ceremony before the races. All military receive $10 in free slot play in the casino all weekend. Live racing all weekend.
It’s gonna be a Red Hot 4th! See you in the village!
-Jamye Gilbreath
Texas Writer
The weekend after the 4th is the 23rd Annual Lincoln County Art Loop! You must stay through the weekend for this event.