Carnival & Fair News

The 2024 Eastern New Mexico State Fair, which ran September 30–October 5 in Roswell, offered a robust mix of live music, food, games, and carnival fun. As always, the fair began with a parade through town, and both the fair itself and the parade had a theme of “The Greatest Show in New Mexico” to mark its 102nd year.

The fair's tradition began back in the 1890s, with the focus always being on highlighting the culture and agriculture of the eastern New Mexico region. Once known as the Chaves County Cotton Carnival, it received the moniker of Eastern New Mexico State Fair in 1950. All in all, it's come a long way since an early attraction made with alfalfa bales to resemble a castle.

This year, with great weather and a carnival presented by Wright's Amusements, approximately 48,000 attended the event. While the number was significant for the 6-day event, it represented a slight decrease in attendance since last year. All the same, fair manager Leslie Robertson noted that fairgoers came from throughout New Mexico's 33 counties, and the fair was pleased with attendance overall.

Unlike most fairs, the Eastern New Mexico event is entirely volunteer run, from its board members to ticket takers. Along with supporting the fair operation itself, a percentage of fair admission fees goes to support high school band programs. According to Robertson, the fair's board members are committed to providing a major event for the region that includes both entertainment and educational exhibits celebrating the agriculture of the region.  

Admission was priced at $12 for those age 13 and up, and $8 for seniors aged 55 and up and kids ages 3 to 12, with children ages 2 and under admitted free. Seniors were free on Wednesday. A carnival ride wristband was priced at $40 all day on Saturday and on Monday's opening day, as well as Wednesday and Friday evening.

A special event held on Tuesday was especially popular: Dubbed “Ride ‘em Cowboy,” fair admission plus an unlimited carnival ride wristband was $25. There was also a special “Carnival Preview” weekend for carnival rides with limited food vendors also operating, which ran September 27-28, with wristbands priced at $40. Other specially priced events took place during the fair's run, including $1 ride night Wednesday along with wristbands offered at $40, and a canned food drive on Thursday that allowed those donating two cans to purchase a ride wristband for just $25.

Parking was offered free throughout the run of the fair, and concerts at the event were also free with fair admission.

Wright's Amusements, operated by John Ring, brought a mix of kiddie rides and thrill rides for a total of 24 rides in all. Wright's has been operating as family-owned show for 55 years, with a route that includes Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas.

Two of the carnival rides were new to the fair this year: a Lamborghini Wave Swinger ride, which was a big hit for the event, and a kiddie elephant ride from Kolmax Plus. The swing ride featured vivid, color changing LED lighting at night. Besides the new rides, the Himalaya was the most popular on the adult side, and a mini–Pirate Ship attraction was the biggest attraction for young riders. The Ferris Wheel was a big family favorite. Per Wright's, the carnival was a success, bringing in a gross of about $400,000.



Along with regular carnival and fair hours, Robertson related that one morning was devoted to carnival hours that were geared toward participants with special sensory needs or mobility issues, with smaller lines and reduced noise.

Livestock exhibits and events were well attended, including a jr. livestock auction, market lamb show, breeding heifer and market steer show, and poultry showmanship events. Rabbits, goats, swine, and dairy heifers were also exhibited. On October 4th and 5th, the fairgrounds presented the Pecos Valley Stampede Ranch Rodeo. The rodeo is a renowned event at the fair, and includes everything from open ranch bronc riding to mutton bustin' fun for kids.

When it came to food, while Wright's midway offered popular classics like cotton candy, corn dogs, lemonade in a lemon-shaped joint, and pizza, food trucks were king, ranging from new vendor Krab King, offering a bevy of seafood choices to the Roadrunner truck with its popular waffle-cut sweet potato fries topped with ground meat, bacon, pineapple, cheese, and garlic aoli, a dish the vendor named the Carnie. Other favorites included a variety of regional favorite taco and torta food trucks. For thirsty adults, the fair offered a beer garden with local brews.

As to musical events, 15 acts performed in all, including performers like national country act Rick Trevino, Twist on Taylor with Brittany's Rage, Los Terrenos, and Ron Diamond. There were also folkloric dance performances. In addition, human cannonball Rocketman offered thrilling performances, shot from a ruby red cannon to soar above the fairgrounds.

Also a draw were the exhibits – including alien-themed creations, appropriate for the fair's Roswell fairgrounds; and Design Your Own Quilt Block, and an interactive activity by the Pecos Valley Quilters at the Arts and Crafts building. There were exhibited baked goods, preserved jellies and honey, and weavings displayed as well. Other popular activities on the fairgrounds besides arts and crafts included model railroad cars, as well as performances by a hypnotist and magician.

To promote the fair, the fair's $5,000 advertising budget was spent on newspaper, radio, and billboard promotion for the event. The fair also actively posted about the event on social media platforms.