The New Mexico State Fair Parade is the kickoff to a full week of rides, food and fun. At 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, the parade will begin at Louisiana and Central and proceed toward Girard.
The parade is long established as one of the biggest parades in the state, marshaled and assisted by the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Posse, which invites everyone to come down and watch.
Lowriders, motorcycles, drill teams and JROTC classes will be in full stomp and swing. Military vehicles, floats and tractors, as well as the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Posse Royalty court and Teen Universe of New Mexico will be a part of the procession.
The state fair runs Sept. 8-18, and cost is $15 per adult and $8 for kids 12 and under. MegaPasses that include an unlimited ride wristband are $30.
Gate one on Central has parking available for $10 Monday through Thursday and $20 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Gate eight on Louisiana offers ample parking but fills quickly, and parking there is $10. Handicap parking is best accessible at Gate one. Parking in the Fair West community on the west side of the fairgrounds is prohibited. For a list of discount days throughout the week, see below.
Deals and discount days
Sept. 9-11: Teacher appreciation. All teachers will get in to the fair for free when they present their district-issued ID or a pay stub at the ticket booth. Free admission is good for ID holders only.
State employee appreciation weekend. State employees get in for $8 when they present an ID badge issued by the state agency they work for or a current pay stub issued by a state agency. Discount is good for ID or paystub holders only.
Monday, Sept. 12: $2 admission all day and $25 ride wristbands.
Tuesday, Sept. 13: Military/Veterans Day. Free admission for all active and retired military and veterans with valid ID.
Wednesday, Sept. 14: $1 admission all day. All rides are $1 per ride, with a minimum purchase of 10 rides required. Ride wristbands will not be available for purchase.
Thursday, Sept. 15: Everyone is a kid day. $8 admission all day. $25 ride wristbands.
Graze Days. All food vendors on the grounds offer one regular menu item for just $3.
Sept. 16-18: City and county employee appreciation day. Admission for anyone employed by a New Mexico city or county government gets in for $8; $40 ride wristbands.
To see what events will be offered at this year’s fair, click here.
