By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper.
The 25th anniversary of Sept. 11 arrives Friday, and Rio Rancho marks it before the rest of the weekend begins. Then Sandoval County gets busy — with a beloved canine tradition, a free mayoral cookout, a gallery opening, a 30-year road race and a walk through some of Placitas’ most beautiful gardens.
Friday: A moment of remembrance, then music and tacos
Rio Rancho gathers Friday evening at Vista Verde Memorial Park for the “Never Forget” Memorial Service, honoring the 2,996 lives lost on September 11, 2001. The service begins at 6 p.m. and is hosted by Daniels Family Funerals & Cremations and Vista Verde Memorial Park.
Café Bella Coffee, 2115 Golf Course Rd. SE, hosts Tacos & Rides from 7-9 p.m. — an open car meet with all rides welcome, running every Friday through at least October.
Alma takes The BLOCK Main Stage at 7 p.m. at 7805 Enchanted Hills Blvd. NE.
Michael Rapaport plays two nights at Quezada’s Comedy Club, with shows Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. The New York actor and comedian has appeared in over 60 films — True Romance, Cop Land, The Heat — and on Friends, Justified and the Netflix series Atypical. He also directed the award-winning documentary “Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest” in 2011. Tickets at quezadas.holdmyticket.com.
Saturday: Dogs, a free BBQ, a gallery opening and Ian Munsick
The City of Rio Rancho’s annual Pooch Plunge takes over Haynes Pool, 2006 Grande Blvd. SE, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — the final swim of the season, open exclusively to dogs. Entry is $5 per dog; current vaccination papers required and leashes mandatory outside the pool area. Food trucks, pet vendors and animal rescue groups with adoptable pets on-site.
Right next door, Mayor Paul Wymer and city councilors host a free Meet & Greet BBQ from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Haynes Park — grab a free lunch and talk to your elected officials in a casual setting.
INHABIT Galerie in Corrales opens Christine Sullivan’s exhibition “Devotion” Saturday from 4-6 p.m. at 4436 Corrales Rd. Sullivan’s whimsical works examine the absurd things people willingly conform to in religion, politics, clubs and more. Free admission.
Back in the Saddle takes The BLOCK Main Stage at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Sunday: Garden tour, a 30-year race and Hotel Transylvania
Six Placitas gardens open their gates Sunday for the Placitas Garden Tour’s 10th anniversary — a self-guided tour running 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through gardens named “Wildlife Sanctuary,” “A Garden in Harmony,” “Working With What You Got,” “Transitions,” “Garden on the Mesa” and “A Place of Shadow.” Native plants for birds and pollinators are the through-line this year. Advance tickets at PlacitasGardenTour.com, the Placitas Merc, the Placitas Community Library and select Albuquerque nurseries. Day-of tickets at Homestead Village and the Community Library.
The Corrales Ditch Run marks its 30th anniversary Sunday, starting at 8:30 a.m. at the Corrales Recreation Center, 500 Jones Rd. Registration runs $0-$55.
The BLOCK closes the weekend Sunday with Nate Fox on the Main Stage at 2 p.m., Braingang Trivia at 5 p.m. and a free outdoor screening of “Hotel Transylvania” at 7 p.m. Bring blankets and chairs; no outside food or drink.
The Corrales Growers’ Market opens at 11 a.m. Sunday at Corrales Parks & Recreation, 500 Jones Rd., with local produce, honey, baked goods and artisan goods through Nov. 1.
What’s happening this weekend
“Never Forget” 9/11 Memorial Service
When: Friday, Sept. 11 | 6 p.m.
Where: Vista Verde Memorial Park, Rio Rancho
Hosted by: Daniels Family Funerals & Cremations and Vista Verde Memorial Park
Tacos & Rides — Café Bella Coffee
When: Every Friday | 7-9 p.m.
Where: 2115 Golf Course Rd. SE, Rio Rancho
Admission: Free | All rides welcome
Michael Rapaport — Quezada’s Comedy Club
When: Fri, Sept. 11 & Sat, Sept. 12 | 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.
Tickets: quezadas.holdmyticket.com
Pooch Plunge & Adopt-A-Thon
When: Saturday, Sept. 12 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Where: Haynes Pool, 2006 Grande Blvd. SE, Rio Rancho
Cost: $5 per dog | Vaccination papers required; leash required outside pool
Mayor’s Meet & Greet BBQ
When: Saturday, Sept. 12 | 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Where: Haynes Park, 2006 Grande Blvd. SE, Rio Rancho
Admission: Free
Christine Sullivan “Devotion” — INHABIT Galerie
When: Opening Saturday, Sept. 12 | 4-6 p.m.
Where: 4436 Corrales Rd., Corrales
Admission: Free
The BLOCK — Weekend lineup
Where: 7805 Enchanted Hills Blvd. NE, Rio Rancho
- Fri, Sept. 11 | 7 p.m.: Alma, Main Stage
- Sat, Sept. 12 | 7 p.m.: Back in the Saddle, Main Stage
- Sun, Sept. 13 | 2 p.m.: Nate Fox; 5 p.m.: Braingang Trivia; 7 p.m.: “Hotel Transylvania” outdoor movie (free; no outside food or drink)
Placitas Garden Tour — 10th Annual
When: Sunday, Sept. 13 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Where: Six gardens across Placitas (map with ticket purchase)
Tickets: PlacitasGardenTour.com | Placitas Merc | Placitas Community Library
Corrales Ditch Run — 30th Anniversary
When: Sunday, Sept. 13 | 8:30 a.m.
Where: Corrales Recreation Center, 500 Jones Rd., Corrales
Registration: $0-$55
Corrales Growers’ Market
When: Sunday, Sept. 13 | 11 a.m.
Where: Corrales Parks & Recreation, 500 Jones Rd., Corrales
Admission: Free | Runs through Nov. 1