Bull elk in Valle Grande during the 2024 fall rut. Photo by C. Lycopolus/NPS

Los Amigos de Valles Caldera News:

The 2024 Valles Caldera Fall Fiesta starts in just a few days. The nine-day special event kicks off with dozens of tribal artisans, a special presentation from Superintendent Jorge Silva-Bañuelos and a musical performance by Marlon Magdalena.

Each day will feature a different guest speaker, a ranger-guided program, tribal artisans, education booths, and an in-depth cultural demonstration. Special guests include Kirt Kempter, Yellowman, Rachel Loehman, Nancy Karraker, Dave Chavarria, Storm Usrey, Andrew Harvier, Bob Parmenter, Matt Martinez, Raffi Andonian, Madeline Naranjo, and Elmer Torres. Artisans from more than a dozen tribes and pueblos will be onsite throughout the fiesta.

Visit https://www.nps.gov/vall/planyourvisit/fall-fiesta.htm for details about each day’s guests and activities, and a list of participating artisans.

The fiesta runs 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily, and the park is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5 through Sunday Oct. 13.

In addition, each day 5-10 p.m., everyone will be welcome in the park as far as the Entrance Station to enjoy listening to elk bugling and watching the stars come out at night. During this time, the only available visitor service will be until 7 p.m. at the Entrance Station.