NM Wine Festival is back for Memorial Day weekend. Here’s what you need to know before heading out. Leave a comment
LAS CRUCES – The New Mexico Wine Festival is back this month in Las Cruces and Albuquerque over Memorial Day weekend with a variety of wineries taking part.
Wine New Mexico’s Las Cruces festival happens annually during the late spring season at the Southern New Mexico State Fairgrounds west of the city. Hundreds of people turn out to taste red, white and sparkling wines made by winemakers from across the state.
Food trucks, craft vendors and musicians also set up on the grounds to provide a weekend of fun in the sun. This year the festival will take place from noon to 6 p.m. May 28-30 at the fairgrounds at 12125 Robert Larson Blvd., off of Interstate 10.
The music lineup for the three-day event includes:
- May 28: Sangre Gitana and Radio Altivo
- May 29: Frank Zona and Urban Edge
- May 30: Chris Baker and Proud Pete
Here are a few tips to consider before heading out to the fairgrounds.
Where do I buy a ticket?
Tickets can be purchased ahead of time online at nmwine.com/nm-winefestival-lascruces-2022. General admission tickets for people 21 and up are $30 online or $35 at the gate. New Mexico Wine will donate $5 for each ticket sold to help rebuild communities charred by wildfires this year. Military discount tickets are $25 and designated driver tickets are $10. Children 15 and under will be admitted for free if accompanied by a ticket-holding adult.
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A ticket is good for admittance to one day of the festival. Valid IDs are required to enter the festival. Vertical IDs will not be accepted.
General and military discount tickets also come with a commemorative wine glass for tasting. The glass will also give you a $5 discount on the purchase of a bottle of wine.
What forms of ID will be accepted?
Vertical IDs issued in New Mexico or other states will be accepted. Department of Defense Identification Cards and passports will be accepted. Expired driver’s licenses will be accepted only if you bring the state-issued or paper ID as well. Vertical New Mexico IDs will not be accepted under any circumstance.
What else should I take with me to the wine festival?
The wine festival comes around at the end of May as weather in southern New Mexico historically heats up. Umbrellas, hats and sunscreen are good things to pack. One factory-sealed water bottle is also allowed into the grounds. Blankets, wagons and baby strollers are also helpful, especially if you’re bringing children along.
Will pets be allowed inside?
Pets will not be allowed inside the fairgrounds gates unless the pet is a service animal specified by federal or state law. All service animals will be required to be registered at the gate.
What is the bottle check?
Attendees who purchase bottles of wine but do not want to carry them around can leave them at the bottle check until ready to leave. A tag with a person’s name and phone number will be attached to the bottle and a matching tag will be given to the person. People will have 24 hours to claim bottles not collected after the festival ends.
Will I be searched before I enter?
All attendees will be searched before they are allowed admittance to the festival. This includes any bags you bring. Prohibited items that are surrendered to security will not be returned.
What is not allowed at the festival?
Prohibited items include:
- Weapons or harmful objects of any kind including pocketknives and corkscrews
- Mace or pepper spray
- Outside alcohol
- Outside food or drinks
- Open bottles
- Fireworks or explosives of any kind
- Coolers
- Unauthorized vending or soliciting materials including promotional stickers, flyers and commodities
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Leah Romero is the trending reporter at the Las Cruces Sun-News and can be reached at 575-418-3442, LRomero@lcsun-news.com or @rromero_leah on Twitter.
