Top Festivals in Southern New Mexico

Southern New Mexico is a land of contradictions. Arid desert mesas meet skyrocketing peaks clothed in coniferous glory; the vast lands of the fertile Rio Grande basin and the Mesilla Valley are sharp contrast to the barren plains of the City of Rocks and the endless brilliance of the White Sands National Monument. But humans have adapted to the harsh climate, and to the Land of Enchantment.

There are many locations in southern NM that celebrate this adaptation annually, with races, fairs, festivals and excitement of all forms. However, in any group there are those few members that distinguish themselves as somehow a cut above the rest. It is no different here.

Number three on the list is the Apple Festival of Hillsboro. Nestled among the hills north of the Caballo Reservoir, Hillsboro is a small town of less than 500 people, and is easily accessible from I-25, I-10 and Hwy 185. Although ranking as small even by the standards of New Mexico, the town hosts its nationally-renowned Apple Festival annually over Labor Day weekend. The main road of Hillsboro plays host to over two hundred vendors and booths, and showcase creations made possible by the fruit for which the Festival is named. No admission is charged for entrance, and parking costs only a few dollars for an all-day spot. It is possible to see the entire festival in a morning at a leisurely pace, leaving plenty of time to sample the pies, tarts, cobbler and dozens of other goodies available.