By Rodd Cayton
For some, Labor Day Weekend is a chance to relax at home with burgers and hot dogs, honoring the progress of the American labor movement.
For others, it’s an opportunity to turn the extra day off into a special end-of-summer adventure.
Those in the Albuquerque area will have a variety of options — everything but business as usual, as most banks and local, state and federal government offices will be closed.
The City of Albuquerque will mostly take the day off, though golf courses, indoor pools and the BioPark will be open. Labor day is the final day of the season for some outdoor pools.
Residents may also check out the New Mexico State Fair midway preview, which runs Friday through Monday, Sept 7. The preview offers free admission and $35 wristbands ($30 on Friday).
Power Ford, 1101 Montaño Road NE is hosting a Labor Day car show Monday, promising more than 300 rides, including classic cars, military vehicles, low-riders and other rigs, plus more than $10,000 in cash prizes, plaques, and trophies at stake. That event runs from 8:30 a.m. to noon and will also include food trucks, face painting, hot dogs, life-size yard games, bounce houses and other activities.
Big Jim Farms, 3521 Rio Grande Blvd NW, is hosting Green Chile Fest, a celebration of New Mexico’s most iconic agricultural product. The event, from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, includes live music, chile roasting, vendors, kids’ activities and cooking demonstrations and tastings. Visitors can also pick their own chiles.
New Mexico Wine is hosting the annual Harvest Wine & Music Festival over the weekend at Balloon Fiesta Park. All attendees must be 21 or older. The festival will include 22 New Mexico wineries and vineyards and have live music all three days, along with food and vendors.
City of Rio Rancho offices and facilities will be closed as well, but the Cabezon Shop Local Market, at 2307 Cabezon Blvd, will feature local vendors selling a variety of goods at Cabezon Park (2307 Cabezon Blvd.) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Legacy Ranch, 74 Barton Road in Edgewood, is hosting a Labor Day event that includes food trucks, vendors and other activities.
The USSSA Labor Day Invitational, a softball tournament hosted by New Mexico Fastpitch, takes place in Los Lunas all weekend.
Residents of Bernalillo, Sandoval and Santa Fe counties who enjoy wine or other potent potables are eligible for discounted rideshare trips under the “Take A Ride on Us” program, which aims to reduce the number of impaired drivers on local roads. From 10 a.m. Friday, through 2 a.m. Tuesday, residents of those counties can use the Uber app and enter the code NMLD26 under the vouchers header to receive a credit of up to $10 off two trips. A total of 2,500 discounted rides will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.