2008 Hatch Valley Chile Festival

Okay, folks. Here we go! You've only got 4 weeks to get to Hatch if you plan to attend the 2008 Hatch Valley Chile Festival. So, get the RV ready to hit the road if you plan to travel that way. Like the song says, "High road, low road, any ole dirt road, it don't matter to me - as long as it gets me back to you."

"One of the most popular chile festivals in the United States is New Mexico's Hatch Chile Festival. This is definitely a celebration of all things chili in the small town of Hatch." (Danna Vach, writer)

August 30-31, 2008 - Labor Day weekend - That's when this year's big festival will take place in Hatch. The 36th Annual Hatch Chile Festival. That's Saturday and Sunday just before Labor Day on September 1st. The location of the festival will be the Hatch Municipal Airport, 1 mile west of town on Hwy 26.

The Hatch Valley produces world-class chile peppers that are revered all over the world. Hatch likes to claim the title, "Chile Capital of the World." Chile peppers is the number one crop in New Mexico, and it's easy to see why. The demand for chile peppers continues to increase all around the world.

On Saturday there will be a parade, a wreath and arrangement contest, a queen coronation, a concert by the Clay Mac Band, other various contests, a "Queen's auction" and music by the Diluvio Norteno Band all morning.

On Sunday there will be another concert by the Clay Mac Band, more contests, a performance by Diamante de Las Cruces Mariachis, a festival auction, more contests, a concert by the Spur Ride Band and the Quilt and Pillow Raffle Awards.

And if that's not enough, all weekend there will be a chile toss contest, lots of chile eating, a watermelon eating contest, a horseshoe tournament, chile foods demonstrations, ristra tying demonstrations and the Chile Capital Artists Ristra painting demonstration.

Add to that the Chile Festival Kitchen open all weekend, a Beer Garden, a carnival, vendors, more food, more fun and plenty of fresh roasted Hatch green chile to purchase.

Wow! No wonder thousands of people make their way to the Hatch Valley for this big holiday weekend festival. Sounds great, doesn't it? We'll keep you posted on this one. Oh yes, here's a link to the Hatch website in case you want to see for yourself -- and a link to our support website where you can read all about chile peppers and more.

http://www.hatchchilefest.com/

Website no longer available.