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Travel Highlights Archive: March
Cowboy Days at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum, Las Cruces (2011)
The whirl of the rope atop a cowboy's sprinting horse. The laughter of children, and the gentle, pure sound of an acoustic guitar. The aroma of chuck wagon cooking.
These sights and sounds can only mean one thing – the return of Cowboy Days to the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces. The 12th-annual festival is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, March 12 - 13. Admission is $4 per person, with children 4 and under admitted free of charge.
A highlight this year will be a film presentation in the theater, featuring clips of Western movies made in New Mexico. Las Cruces film reviewer Jeff Berg will host "Made in New Mexico Westerns Part I" from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, March 12. Part II will be from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 13. Berg estimates that about 150 Westerns have been filmed in the state, and the program features a compilation of about 40 different clips.
From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. both days, history comes to life at the museum's Horse & Cattle Barn. Visitors are encouraged to take part in a 1936 birthday party, hosted by historical characters played by museum volunteers and employees.
Musical entertainment always is a big part of Cowboy Days and the lineup this year features Eddie Harrison, Hot Lead, Randy Granger, Kenny Arroyos and Cowboy Gospel. Authors from the Western Writers of America also will be on hand to sign books and give presentations in the theater.
Gunfight re-enactments will take place three times each day, and there also will be square dancing, and a 19th Century Fashion Show at 4 p.m. on Sunday.
For the second straight year, the museum's roping arena will be the site of a match team roping competition, featuring many of the top ropers in southwestern New Mexico. The competition takes place most of the day Saturday and ends Sunday morning.
Another popular event is the Mexican-style rodeo demonstrations by Charros del Pedregal from Vado, N.M. This takes place in the Round Pen at 3:30 p.m. each day. Also in the Round Pen is the popular Parade of Breeds at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, and 1 p.m. on Sunday.
Children's activities are in the Courtyard both days and will have a different twist this year. Each child will go through various craft stations where they will receive stamps. When they've received all of the stamps, they will attend a brief, fun ceremony where they will be sworn in as official cowgirls and cowboys.
There will be horseback, pony and stagecoach rides each day, along with demonstrations such as blacksmithing, horseshoeing, sewing, weaving, milking, and chuck wagon cooking. Pat Howard's working dogs will be here for herding demonstrations on Sunday.
The annual Spring Plant & Tree Sale will be going on both days at the museum's Greenhouse, and there will be dozens of arts and crafts vendors, as well as food vendors. The Back Country Horsemen also will be on hand for demonstrations.
Cowboy Days sponsors include Western Heritage Bank, De La Vega's Pecan Grill, KGRT, the Friends of the Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum, and Cattleman's Steak House.
For more information, please call Helping Hands Event Planning at (575) 522-1232, or the museum at (575) 522-4100.
www.nmcowboydays.com
www.nmfarmandranchmuseum.org
