JEMEZ SPRINGS News:JEMEZ SPRINGS — The Village of Jemez Springs is hosting an all day Independence Day celebration starting at 10 a.m., July 4 with a parade and continuing until the evening with a special animated light show set to music beginning at 8:30 p.m., in lieu of fireworks.
Several local nonprofits will benefit from sales at the event including:
- Jemez Valley Animal Amigos;
- Jemez Helping Hands; and
- Friends of the Jemez Springs Public Library.
“We invite visitors to beat the heat and crowds that you’d find in larger cities and experience a memorable 4th of July in the cool mountain Village of Jemez Springs,” Jemez Springs Mayor Roger Sweet said. “Plus, proceeds from this event will empower local non profits to continue their work helping others.”
The Independence Day activities begin at 10 a.m. with a “History of Jemez Springs” themed parade. The Jemez Mountain Trail National Scenic Byway (NM 4) will be closed to traffic 9:30-10:30 a.m., for the parade from the Jemez Valley Credit Union to the Jemez Ranger Station.
American Legion Post 75 will present a flag raising ceremony and awards will be distributed for the “best float” and “volunteer of the year.” Jemez Sustainable Solutions is being honored as “volunteers of the year,” for operating the area recycling center and organizing both the Jemez Springs Farmer’s Market and Earth Day Clean Up.
Following the awards, Mayor Sweet will announce the winner of the the Elk Hunt raffle, held in March, for a chance to hunt on media mogul Ted Turner’s Vermejo Park Ranch.
Five hundred tickets were sold, to benefit the Friends of the Jemez Springs Public Library. The winner does not have to be present to win.
Throughout the event, local arts and crafts vendors will sell handmade items. Children’s activities are scheduled 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. where nonprofit organization Jemez Helping Hands will sponsor activities and games for kids with chances to win prizes. Proceeds benefit Jemez Helping Hands, which provides food, shelter and clothing services and utility assistance for those who need it.
Jemez Valley Animal Amigos – a 501(c3) no-kill animal rescue group – will host a barbecue 11 a.m to 3 p.m., which includes hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches, potato salad and dessert. All proceeds benefit the nonprofit group and its efforts.
One of the popular activities at the annual event – the Duck Races – begins at 3 p.m. behind the Jemez Springs Public Library. Prizes will be awarded to the fastest duck who races down the river. Revenue from the purchase of ducks will benefit the Friend of the Jemez Springs Public Library.
Visitors are encouraged to have dinner then explore Jemez Springs on their own until 8 p.m., when the Hummingbird Music Camp will perform beloved patriotic songs.
Friends of the Jemez Springs Public Library group will be selling walking tour guides, showing points of interest and historic sites in Jemez Springs. The book is only $4.95 but there are only 20 guides remaining in print.
At 8:30 p.m., in lieu of fireworks, Mission Street Arts and artist Mike Enright will present an animated fireworks projection show in the skies, consisting of 12-foot and 8-foot inflated balls suspended in the Plaza.
Parking in the Plaza is limited. Additional parking is available at the Jemez Community Park, near the Jemez Valley Credit Union, just over half a mile from the Plaza.
Camping and recreation are prohibited in the Santa Fe National Forest, per the June 1 order by the Forest Service. More information: #JemezIsHappening or www.jemezsprings.org/Jemez-is-happening. Lodging facilities in and around the Village will fill up fast.
Visit www.jemezsprings.org/lodging to book. For more information about the free Independence Day events in Jemez Springs, visit www.jemezsprings.org.
