The Fourth of July falls on a Monday this year, which means it’s a three-day weekend for many. Whether barbecuing in the backyard, traveling out of town or attending a celebration, this Independence Day weekend promises to be packed with fun and entertainment for all. Some of the events planned in the far Northeast Heights include:
1. Drums Around the World with Kevin Kinane at Cherry Hills Library Saturday. From 11 a.m. to noon, kids of all ages will have the opportunity to play dozens of percussion instruments in one of several special events scheduled at the library as part of the summer reading program Oceans of Possibilities. The interactive music program is funded by Friends of the Public Library. Keep the kids engaged and stay at the library to join the chess club or read to the dogs from 1-3 p.m. Cherry Hills Library is located at 6901 Barstow St. NE.
2. Head to the Sandia Resort and Casino Sports Bar Saturday for UFC 276. Grab a drink and watch Israel Adesanya take on Jared Cannonier in an epic middleweight title bout. In the featherweight title match, Alexander Volkanovski will fight Max Holloway 3. There is no cover charge, and the preliminary matches begin at 6 p.m. Seating is limited, so come early or call 505-796-7500 for more dining and lodging options.
3. The Nor Este Estates Fourth of July Parade takes place at 10 a.m. Monday. Go to the intersection of Wyoming Boulevard and Eagle Rock Avenue to participate in the festivities and then get popsicles at the park, provided by the Nor Este Neighborhood Association.
Citywide events
4. Jam out to country, reggae and New Mexican music before watching the city’s biggest fireworks display at Freedom Fourth at Balloon Fiesta Park from 3-10 p.m. Monday. The event is free, but parking is $10 per vehicle. Pre-pay by visiting premiumparking.com/P4702. Otherwise, be prepared to pay in cash. The city encourages visitors to use the Park & Ride bus service at Coronado or Cottonwood malls, with the service beginning at 3 p.m. and ending at 7:30 p.m. Food, drinks and kids’ activities, including face painting, bounce houses and two rock walls, will be available for the all-ages event. Visit cabq.gov/artsculture/things-to-do/annual-events/freedom-4th for more information.
5. Saturday marks the final day to view “Mysterious Inner Worlds,” a solo exhibit featuring Anila Quayyum Agha, at the University of New Mexico Art Museum. It features four sculptures activated by light, including the large-scale light installation “Intersections” and the debut of the sculpture “Steel Garden (Red). The museum is pen from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays. For more information on the exhibit, click here or call 505-277-4001.
6. Share your greatest wish at with the observance of Tanabata, a Japanese summer festival, at the Tanabata Wish-making Station in the Botanic Garden of ABQ BioPark July 1-7. The festival celebrates the meeting of the deities Hikoboshi and Orihime, two celestial lovers represented by the stars Altair and Vega, which are usually separated by the Milky Way. According to legend, they are only allowed to meet once per year, the seventh month of the lunisolar calendar. Traditionally, people write their wishes on colorful strips of paper (tanzaku papers) and affix them to bamboo branches. This weeklong station invites residents to the BioPark’s Japanese Garden to learn more about Tanabata and make your own wish strip. The BioPark is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For more information, call 505-848-7172 or click here.
7. Celebrate Independence Day with the Albuquerque Isotopes as the team hosts the Sugarland Space Cowboys. Friday’s promotional giveaway is clear backpacks to the first 2,000 fans, while Saturday and Sunday’s game will be followed by fireworks. Saturday also features the Mariachis de Nuevo México and is Lowrider Night. Gates open early Saturday and Sunday, at 5 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. respectively. Game times are 7:05 p.m. Friday, 6:35 p.m. Saturday, and 6:05 p.m. Sunday. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the team’s website.
