Cliffs, Frijoles Canyon, Bandelier National Monument. Courtesy/NPS BNM News:
Bandelier National Monument is planning for 2015 to be a year full of interesting and exciting events.
“We hope that local people as well as visitors from farther away will come and enjoy the park this year,” Bandelier Superintendent Jason Lott said. “It’s a beautiful, fascinating place, with events and activities for people of all ages and interests.”
Among this year’s major events will be:
- Fall Fiesta Sept. 5, with many Native American craftspeople offering their work;
- Night Sky Fiesta Sept. 11-12, providing opportunities to “tour” the night sky via telescope, view the sun through special filters, enjoy special presentations and activities, and learn about the stars, planets, and constellations to be seen in Bandelier’s dark night skies;
- The unique Opera on the Rocks Sept. 26, sponsored by the local Opera Guilds, offers opera being sung outdoors on a fine autumn evening;
- “Fee Free” Days when no entrance fees are charged at National Park Service areas countrywide – April 18-19, the beginning of National Parks Week; Aug. 25, the anniversary of the establishment of the National Park Service; Sept. 26, Public Lands Day; and Nov. 11, Veterans Day.
During July and August there will be Night Sky Programs, Moonlight Walks, Evening Programs, Nightwalks, Wilderness Hikes, and Pueblo Crafts demonstrations given regularly. Artist in Residence activities are planned provided September through December.
Dates and details are available on the park website, www.nps.gov/band under “Plan Your Visit – Calendar”. Close to the actual dates, activities will often be announced on the park Facebook page, BandelierNPS. And inquiries for information, or signups for activities that require registration, can always be made to the Visitor Center at 505.672.3861 x 517.
“We hope people will get out and visit their National Parks, and especially Bandelier, in 2015,” Lott said. “And then next year will be really special – the Centennial Year of both the National Park Service, and of Bandelier National Monument too. Keep an eye out for all the special events coming up this year and next!”
