Sandoval County residents will have a few options for observing the Fourth of July holiday.
Parades are scheduled for Corrales, Placitas and Rio Rancho.
In Placitas, parade entrants will line up at Placitas heights at 9 a.m., with the procession starting at 10, traveling down State Route 165.
Organizer Jim Madueña said the parade has been going on for decades under his leadership, having taken over from Louis “Red” Stephens years ago.
Madueña said most of the community comes out for the parade, taking advantage of a number of shady spots along the highway.
Participants typically include land grant representatives, the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office, hot rods and groups that toss out candy to spectators.
Madueña said the rear echelon of the parade has been groups of horses owned by community members, but they haven’t been about in a few years, which he hopes changes this time.
Rio Rancho’s 2025 4th of July Parade begins at 6 p.m. The parade route starts and ends at Campus Park at Rio Ranch City Center.
After the parade, festivities continue with live music, food trucks and a beer garden. The evening will conclude with a fireworks show.
The Town of Bernalillo will host its 4th of July Mayor’s Benefit at Rotary Park. Highlights of the event will include a water-balloon splash fest for kids of all ages and hot dogs and hamburgers between 9 and 11 a.m.
The Village of Corrales is hosting its 30th annual 4th of July Parade. The procession will start at 10 a.m. and travel from Corrales Elementary School through the downtown area to the Rec Center, 500 Jones Road.
Sandoval County permits “safe and sane” fireworks, which have no report, are not self-propelling and produce no effects higher than ten feet above the ground.
The county has not thus far instituted a drought-related ban for this year.