MainStreet events, including Fair & Rodeo, Los Alamos Sciencefest, Halloweekend and Winterfest were very successful this year. Great weather and new programming combined to bring nearly 37,000 attendees downtown for these four events.
Los Alamos MainStreet is part of a national organization whose mission is downtown revitalization. Its mission is to get ‘more people downtown more of the time,’ which translates into an improved economic impact on businesses. These major community events are a large part of community building and lead to better quality of life for the community.
Fair & Rodeo:
August 8–10, 2014
The Los Alamos County Fair and Rodeo is a family oriented, three-day event that gives both locals and visitors an opportunity to get acquainted with downtown Los Alamos and celebrate our heritage. Events during the weekend included the horse show, fair, Rodeo Queens Court competition and coronation, arts & crafts show, rodeo, parade, Posse Lodge Dinner, and Friday night concert. Over 7,000 people attended Fair & Rodeo events.
ScienceFest:
September 5–13, 2014
This signature event for Los Alamos was expanded to nine days this year, with over 80 activities. Rocket Day started Sciencefest off with a bang with the launching of more than 250 rockets made by the Los Alamos Public Schools’ 6th graders. Astronaut John Phillips headlined the event. Over 1,250 people attended Rocket Day and the event was featured on the cover of Pasatiempo magazine.
During the week more than 6,000 people attended events ranging from talks about New Mexico green chile to making art from your DNA. ExpoDay at Ashley Pond drew crowds that enjoyed interactive exhibits, demonstrations and food vendors. A beer and wine garden was a popular feature of the festival. With 15 sponsors, 35 organizations, and hundreds of volunteers, the extended event celebrated Los Alamos and its unique and creative heritage.
Halloweekend:
October 24–25, 2014
Halloweekend and its feature event Trick-or-Treat on MainStreet is an annual Halloween celebration that closes off Central Avenue to cars and invites businesses in the downtown area to open their doors to the public. Families come in costumes to enjoy a safe evening of trick-or-treating. This year the Los Alamos Hill Stompers (a local marching band) played throughout the festivities along with a dance performance by New Mexico Dance Theater and a wiener dog parade. Also on Friday were the Medical Center’s Trick-or-Treating, and the Bradbury Science Museum’s High-Tech Halloween. Saturday’s activities included pumpkin carving, the Pumpkin Glow and a performance by The Nomads at Fuller Lodge. Approximately 12,000 attendees participated in Halloweekend.
Winterfest:
December 5–7, 2014
Winterfest was a fun-filled holiday weekend, celebrating wintertime in Los Alamos. Scheduled events included The Snow Queen Ballet, Christmas bazaars, creche show, Geological Society Earth Show, Affordable Art Show, North Pole Workshop and Luminaria Walk, and the Holiday Lights Parade and lighting of the trees on Ashley Pond. New events this year were the tree lighting at the Municipal Building and the Rock on Climbathon fundraiser. Winterfest had over 11,000 attendees.
To learn how you can be part of the events as a sponsor, exhibitor, or participant, contact Suzette at 505.661.4844.