By Rodd Cayton
Family friendly is the way to go. That’s the lesson the Town of Bernalillo learned last year from replacing the adult-oriented Brew Fest of the past with the all-ages Mountain West Fall Fest, which returns for its second edition Saturday at Loretto Park, 237 S. Camino Del Pueblo.
Christina Jones, the town’s economic & community development director, told The Paper. she felt last year’s event was successful because it appealed to families, meaning a larger cross-section of the community could find something to enjoy. Organizers are leaning into family friendliness this year, Jones said, by coordinating with Sandoval County (for a joint celebration of the Route 66 centennial) and offering free admission. The county’s Employee Appreciation Committee is hosting a car show at the adjacent Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fall Fest is from 1 to 8 p.m.
Jones said there will still be beer, but rather than tastings from several providers, the event will feature Kaktus Brewing Co. as the liquor vendor. Fall fest will have musical performances by Bernalillo’s own Brandon Saiz and Michael Rascón, who take the stage at 4 and 6 p.m., respectively. The performances begin with a Ballet Folklorico dance by local middle- and high-schoolers. Mayor Jack Torres called Saiz’s success (he’ll be playing the main stage at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta the next day) a source of community pride and said he is pleased that the Fall Fest is now a free event.
In the kids’ area, Jones said, visitors will find face painting, bounce houses, a petting zoo and other diversions. Several organizations will be doing community outreach, including the Bernalillo High School Future Farmers of America chapter and Sandoval County Animal Services, which will bring pets available for adoption. Jones said vendors will include food trucks, craft artisans and farmers market regulars. She said she’d like to capture some people in the area for the Balloon Fiesta to “come and explore the Town of Bernalillo the rest of the day.”
The first 200 people in the park will each receive a free Route 66 mug and apple cider. Parking will be available at the church, at Chicky’s Coffee (across the street from the park) and along Camino Don Tomas.