The lavender is in bloom at our house, and along with the peas, I'd better get out and pick some. If lavender is something you enjoy, Los Poblanos has a lavender farm in Los Ranchos. Pick some to take home this Saturday, July 9, or learn how to cook with the herb. A lavender tea and tour takes place Sunday, July 10. Find out about these events and other lavender workshops at Los Poblanos. Sadly, the Los Ranchos Lavender Festival will not take place this year. It was one of my favorite annual events.
But there will be a lavender festival at Los Golondrinas, near Santa Fe, on Saturday, July 23 and Sunday, July 24. It runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. There will be herb garden tours, talks on cultivating lavender, hands-on activities and lavender product vendors. And entry to the living history museum allows you to take self-guided tours of the entire complex. Summer is a great season to see Los Golondrinas.
Find other July fairs and festivals.
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Photo © Aileen O'Catherine, licensed to About.com
Have a wonderful, safe and relaxing Fourth of July weekend, Albuquerque!
Pork and Brew
Over 50 BBQ competitors from around the U.S. will be competing for the chance to go to the nationals held in Kansas City. Get out and taste some of the best BBQ there is in the parking lot of the Santa Ana Star Center. There will be activities for the kids as well as arts and crafts vendors.
When: Noon - 9 p.m. Friday, July 1; 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Saturday, July 2; Noon - 6 p.m. Sunday, July 3
Where: Santa Ana Star Center, 3001 Civic Centre Circle.
Cost: $5 adults, $3 for anyone 50+ and children 2 - 12.
Isotopes
Get out to Isotopes Park for the all American game of baseball. The Isotopes play archrivals the Round Rock Express. After the game is over, stay to enjoy the fireworks display. If you don't want to face the crowds of the big fireworks event, Freedom Fourth, then this is a great alternative. Hurry, though, for the 4th event, as tickets sell fast!
When: July 2, 3 and 4, gates open at 5:30 p.m., games begin 7:05 p.m.
Where: Isotopes Stadium, University and Cesar Chavez
Cost: $6 for berm seating, ticket prices vary.
Zoo Music with The SteelDrivers
The SteelDrivers play acoustic bluegrass fused with soul and country. Nominated twice for a Grammy award, the quintet has two albums, and their music was featured on the film "Get Low."
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 1, doors open 6 p.m.
Where: Rio Grande Zoo, 903 Tenth SW
Cost: $10 adults, $5 seniors 65+, $3 children ages 3-12. BioPark members half price.
Chris Issac
Chris Issac has been singing pop hits since the mid 80's, and takes the zoo stage as part of the BioPark Society's Go Wild concert series, raising funds for the zoo.
When: 8 p.m., Sunday, July 3
Where: Rio Grande Zoo, 903 Tenth SW
Cost: $25 in advance, $30 day of show.
Rio Rancho 4th of July Parade
Get out to the parade to see classic cars, military organizations, but most importantly, the bike parade! Children and their parents are encouraged to decorate their bikes and join the parade. Prizes for the best bike decorations will be awarded in different age categories: 5 to 7, 8 to 10 and 11 to 15. Think you might have the most patriotic or most original bike? Enter and see.
When: Parade has a 10 a.m. start, July 4
Where: From Country Club Drive to Southern Bld., ending at Pinetree at Veterans Park.
Cost: Free.
Freedom Fourth
The gates open at 3 p.m. and the fireworks begin around 9:15. In between, there is music by Casey James, an American Idol 2010 finalist, a Kids' Zone, activities, and a Warehouse 508 stage. Park and Ride is available. Don't miss the biggest fireworks show in New Mexico.
When: Gates open at 3 p.m., entertainment begins at 4 p.m.
Where: Balloon Fiesta Park
Cost: Admission is free; parking $10.
Free Museum Admission
The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science offers free admission to New Mexico residents this Sunday, July 3, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. See their new exhibit while there. And the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center offers free admission to Bank of America cardholders on Saturday, July 2 and Sunday, July 3.
Cause of the Week
Diamonds in the Ruff
This new consignment store opens August 4, and is looking for your gently used items. Proceeds will benefit New Mexico Pets ALIVE! no-kill animal shelter. Help get this wonderful cause up and thriving. Please call 505-244-0223 or send an email to mail@newmexicopetsalive.org to arrange a pick-up or drop off.
When: Ongoing, but items needed asap.
Where: 312 Rosemont NE
Cost: Get rid of those unwanted items and clear your closets/garages/shelves.
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Enjoy free admission to the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science this Sunday, and see the museum's latest exhibit while there. The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science offers Free First Sundays for New Mexico residents the first Sunday of every month through the rest of the year. Dates for free admission for the remainder of the year are August 6, September 4, October 2, November 6 and December 4.
The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center is open first Sundays as well, though the Sandia Center will be closed July 3 because of the holiday. The Center is not normally open to the public, and provides hands-on science education for 5th grade students in Albuquerque Public Schools. The center is home base for hiking trails through the east side of the Sandias, and is based in Cedar Crest.
There is a lot to see in the Natural History museum, to include the Naturalist Center, where kids can get hands on with fossils, microscopes and snakes. Along with its regular exhibits, the museum also has a new exhibit to explore, Emergence: A New View of Life's Origin. This Sunday might be a good time to visit and see what it's about.
The Emergence exhibit opens to the the public Friday, July 1, and explores questions and scientific discoveries about the origins of life. The exhibit is a collaborative effort, with the scientific lead coming from the Santa Fe Institute. Students from Highlands University's Media Arts' Program for Interactive Cultural Technology, or PICT, worked on the exhibit and created a double helix pictorial timeline that highlights key events. The exhibit also includes a 3-D video filmed in the Carlsbad caves, interactives and hands-on activities.
The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $7 adults, $6 seniors and $4 for children 3 - 12. The Dynatheater and planetarium shows are additional costs. But go Sunday, when the price of admission is free.
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Photo © New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science
