New Mexico Centennial Summerfest takes place on Saturday June 16, 2012 in Albuquerque, as a celebration of New Mexico’s Statehood Centennial.
The free New Mexico Summerfest Centennial promises a great line-up of entertainment, culminating in free evening concerts at the Albuquerque Downtown Harry E. Kinney Civic Plaza:
- Country singer Will Banister from Clovis NM at 5:30 pm
- Taos Pueblo Grammy award-winning musician Robert Mirabal at 6:30 pm
- Grammy award-winning band Los Lobos at 8 pm
The day’s events starts at 12 noon, offering live entertainment at various Summerfest locations along Central Avenue, with pavilions and stages dedicated to performers reflecting New Mexico’s cultural mix: a Hispanic Heritage pavilion, a Native American stage with Gathering of Nations Inter Tribal Dancers, a New Mexico Office of African American Affairs stage, a World Pavilion, and a Rock and Rockabilly stage in honor of the classic era of Central Avenue as part of New Mexico’s historic Route 66.
Other event highlights include an arts and crafts show by New Mexico artists, a vintage car show, a Youthfest with activities for youngsters, plus storytellers, a cowboy poet, chautauquas on New Mexico history, gunfighters, drumming, dancing, and of course plenty of food vendors offering a feast of New Mexican foods!
A Science and Technology Center will feature exhibitors Spaceport America, Explora, White Sands National Monument, Sandia National Labs,the National Museum of Nuclear History & Science, the Fractal Foundation, and other New Mexico science organizations.
All entertainment is free, and the full schedule for New Mexico Centennial Summerfest gives performance and event details and a map of the various locations.
Summerfest starts at 12 noon on June 16, and the ABQ Trolley Co will provide free trolley rides in a shuttle along Central Avenue from noon to 6 pm.
This will be a very busy event, so if you’re visiting Albuquerque from out of town, it’s worth checking the options for New Mexico Summerfest public transportation, parking, and park and ride services.
And you might also want to check out our sister site Albuquerque on the Cheap, for local dining and attraction deals once you’re in the Duke City!
