Radar Range: Hatch Chile Festival in Hatch, New Mexico

Want more of these?  Head to the source: Hatch, New Mexico, for their Labor Day Hatch Valley Chile Festival.

The Hatch Valley Chile Festival takes place September 4-5 and usually attracts 20,000 visitors. There are plenty of chile dishes to sample, ristra-making contests, artisans, a carnival, and, of course, the crowning of the Chile Festival queen.

Special activities Saturday (September 4) begin with the Chile Festival Parade at 10 a.m., followed by the Opening Ceremonies and Queen Coronation, noon; the start of the Horseshoe Tournament, 12:30 p.m.; the Chile Toss Contest, 1 p.m.; the Chile Eating Contest, 2:45 p.m.; and the Chile Queen’s Scholarship Auction at 3:30 p.m. Music by Simon Balkey will provide the soundtrack for the day’s activities.

Additional special activities Sunday (September 5) include the Las Cruces High School Mariachis at 1 p.m.; Watermelon Eating Contests, 1:30 p.m.; Darrell Hawkins Rope and Bullwhip Show, 2 p.m.; and the Chile Festival Auction, 2:30 p.m.

All-day activities both days include the Chile Capital Artists Fine Arts Show, Bennett’s Carnival, and food and crafts vendors.

The Hatch Municipal Airport is one mile west of town on State Road 26. Admission is $10 per car load each day.

Want more information? Visit www.hatchchilefest.com. Want to make a great Hatch Chile Cheeseburger? Go here.

[googleMap name=”Hatch, New Mexico” mousewheel=”false”]Hatch, New Mexico[/googleMap]