It’s officially fall, which means it’s hoodie weather, maybe. Forecasts show a 40% chance of heavy rain Thursday evening with a low of 57. Highs will be in the mid to upper 80s Friday through Sunday with a slight chance of thunderstorms Friday evening. The rest of the weekend will be mostly sunny and clear with lows in the upper 50s, so not quite hoodie weather but close enough. Keep those sweaters on hand just in case it cools off while attending any of these events in the far Northeast Heights over the weekend:
1. Hit the trails with The Albuquerque Hiking and Outdoor Meetup group Thursday, Sept. 22 for an evening cardio hike up old La Luz Trail. The group will stop at the 2.5 mile-mark and head back down via new La Luz for a total of 5.5 miles. Bring a flashlight and $3 cash for parking. The hike begins at 6 p.m. Other group members will be meeting at Stone Age Climbing Gym north at 6:20 p.m. the same day for their biweekly gym climb. Stone Age north is located at 6200 Alameda Blvd. NE. Visit meetup.com/hiking-204 to become a member and learn more about the group.
2. No, you’re not losing your mind a little, Maren Morris will meet in the middle, of the stage at Sandia Resort & Casino Amphitheater at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22. Although known for the hit single “The Middle” with Zedd and Grey, Morris produced tons of other popular songs including “My Church,” “Drunk Girls Don’t Cry” and “Wish I Was.” To purchase tickets for the twangy, country pop star concert, visit sandiacasino.com/event/maren-morris.
3. Put on those dance shoes and boogie down at the North Domingo Baca Multigenerational Center’s Community Dance Night Friday, Sept. 23. The dance runs from 6-8 p.m. A $20 annual membership is required to participate in community events. Stop by the center at 7521 Carmel Ave. NE to sign up and become a member or call 505-764-6475 for more information.
4. Check out the New Mexico Ice Wolves as they take on the Odessa Jackalopes Friday, Sept. 23, and Saturday, Sept. 24, at the Outpost Ice Arena. Both hockey games are at 6:30 p.m. with tickets ranging in price from $10 to $27.50. Visit, nmicewolves.com for more info.
5. Help to make Balloon Fiesta Park clean and sanitary for the upcoming 50th International Balloon Fiesta by volunteering for trash pickup at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 24 at 9 a.m. The Company’s Comin’ annual Balloon Fiesta cleanup is in conjunction with a citywide cleanup with dozens of neighborhoods pledging to participate. No need to register, just show up at the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum at 9201 Balloon Museum Drive with a positive attitude, ready to make the park shine.
6. Enjoy an afternoon of classical music at the Cherry Hills Library from 3-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, with a clarinet quintet performance presented by the Albuquerque Philharmonic Orchestra. This is a free, all-ages event. For more information, visit abqlibrary.org/cherryhills.
7. Join the party at Salt Yard East and watch the Lobo football team take on Louisiana State University from the big screen Saturday, Sept. 24. The event starts at 4:30 p.m. and kickoff is at 5:30 p.m. Food and drink specials will be available. Salt Yard East is located at 6001 Osuna Road NE. Call 505-750-9273 for more details.
Citywide events
8. Hispanic Heritage Month is in full swing in Albuquerque. From Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, a variety of events and activities are planned to celebrate the city’s Hispanic roots and culture. Events this weekend includes the free Heart of Corrales Fiesta Harvest Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Casa San Ysidro will host a variety of music, heritage craft demonstrations and more. Additionally, !Cine Magnifico! And ¡Glbalquerque!: ¡NYICFF Kid Flicks! Will run Saturday at the National Hispanic Culture Center. This free community event celebrates the best Spanish-language short films from around the globe. For more information or a full schedule of events for the month, visit https://nmhhc.com.
9. The New Mexico Prickly Pear Festival returns for its fourth year Saturday and Sunday at Gutiérrex-Hubbel House Alliance, 6029 Isleta Blvd. SW. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, with Saturday a day for cooks, eaters and anyone with a taste and interest in prickly pears. The day also includes a vendor market, cooking and beverage demonstrations, live music, art games, a round table discussion, live podcast recording and more. Sunday is dedicated to talks and workshops with farmers, ranchers and gardeners on how and why to incorporate native, arid adapted plants like prickly pear into their systems. Tickets are $10 general admission and $6 for students and children. For more information, visit https://nmpricklypearfest.com.
10. Celebrate Aki Matsuri (the Japanese Fall Festival) with the New Mexico Japanese American Citizens League from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at New Mexico Veterans Memorial Park, 1100 Louisiana Blvd. SE. The event features Japanese cultural exhibits, vendor fair, musical demonstrations, Japanese art, Japanese food, sushi, beer and sake booth and more. There will also be a cosplay contest this year. Admission is $7 with kids 12 and under free with a parent or guardian. For tickets, visit https://tickets.holdmyticket.com/tickets/394253.
11. Join representatives from Albuquerque Fire Rescue from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday for various cleanups throughout the city with Imagine ABQ. Volunteers are encouraged to start where they’re planted, such as your neighborhood or business, and work your way a block out. For more information on the day, visit https://www.imagineabq.com.
12. Unite Against Cancer with the Lobo Cancer Challenge Saturday and University Stadium. Registration is closed, but donations can be made to support challengers by visiting clicking here. A full schedule of events is also available on the website.