John Gaw Meem designed visitor center. Photo by Barbara Hagood.

Upcoming Events at Coronado State Monument

9/19/10, Sunday
2:00pm — 3:30pm
Mountain Men of New Mexico
Sunday Lecture on the Portal - Free to all NM Residents

Bob Dodson - master trapper, trade, card dealer, vittles chef and bear tamer - is also known by his Mountain Man colleagues as the "Frenchman" (Ceran St. Vrain).  He was a partner wit Charles and William Bent.  Come hear the history, legends, and myths of the early 1800s in the Western wilderness.  Mr. Dodson presents himself in the first person as an actual Mountain Man, speaking as Mountain Men would have spoken in the 1800s.  Dressed authentically he interprets the history, legends and myths of the period.  Actual tools, weapons, pelts, and clothing as well as foods, traps and artifacts will be presented and demonstrated with an opportunity for individual hands-on examination. Event sponsored by the Friends of Coronado.

Coronado State Monument

10/23/10, Saturday
10:00am — 3:00pm
Fiesta of Cultures
Special Event

¡Viva la Fiesta!  Enjoy panoramic views of the Rio Grande, the Bosque and the Sandia Mountains during Fiesta of Cultures, a celebration of local traditions including Pueblo, Hispanic and Anglo.  The emphasis is on craft demonstrations, folk art and pre-industrial lifeways.  Before overcrowded freeways and information highways imposed the relentless sameness that is modern living, life here in the Rio Grande Valley followed the more natural rhythms of spring flood and fall harvest.  There was a season for everything, “and a time for every purpose under heaven.”  The importance of these natural rhythms is reflected in the care and skill that our ancestors lavished on such seemingly simple tasks as: carving a drum from a cottonwood stump; dying skeins of wool for a blanket; or forging a horseshoe with a hammer and anvil.  This event is geared toward families with children.  There will be llamas.  There is no admission charge for any of the Fiesta of Culture activities.  Food vendors will be available.  Will also feature a visit from the Van of Enchantment, Rails & Trails. Coronado State Monument is a New Mexico State Monument under the Department of Cultural Affairs.

Coronado State Monument

12/4/10, Saturday
10:00am — 4:00pm
Santa’s Workshop: Ornament Making
Pre-Holiday Event

Make you very own holiday ornament fashioned from dried buffalo gourds.  The rule is “make one for yourself and one for our tree.”   $10 supply fee includes free admission.  Proceeds benefit preservation and educational programming at Coronado State Monument.   Workshop hours:  10 am - 12 pm, 1pm - 4pm For info: 505-867-5351.

Coronado State Monument

12/5/10, Sunday
5:30pm — 8:30pm
Christmas at Kuaua
Free After-Hours Holiday Event

Free admission.  Get into the holiday spirit with an evening of family fun!  The grounds of Coronado State Monument will be decorated with hundreds of flickering luminarias and thousands of Christmas lights.  Children’s activities start at 5 pm with candy canes, popcorn, and breaking of candy-filled piñatas.  Local boy scouts begin the lighting of the luminarias around 5:30 pm while rangers ignite a bonfire on the site’s South Plaza.  Carolers help ring in the holidays under the portal and bell ringers herald the approach of Mr. and Mrs. Claus at 6 pm.  The evening includes live entertainment, storytelling, traditional Pueblo dancers, and drawings for door prizes sponsored by Sun Father’s Gift Shop.  Refreshments will include biscochitos and delicious hot chocolate.   This free event is sure to be the perfect start to your holiday season.  For information: 505-867.5351, www.nmmonuments.org.   

Coronado State Monument

4/16/11, Saturday
10:00am — 4:00pm
Nature’s First Green: Earth Day Celebration
Activities for all ages

Nature’s first green is gold, wrote the poet.  Activities for all ages will include atlatl throwing contest in the South Plaza, demonstrations, preparing the monument gardens for planting, and naturalist-led tours of the bosque.   All Earth Day activities are free.

Coronado State Monument

10/22/11, Saturday
10:00am — 4:00pm
Fiesta of Cultures
Free event for all visitors

¡Viva la Fiesta!  Enjoy panoramic views of the Rio Grande, the Bosque and the Sandia Mountains during Fiesta of Cultures, a celebration of local traditions including Pueblo, Hispanic and Anglo.  The emphasis is on craft demonstrations, folk art and pre-industrial lifeways.  Before overcrowded freeways and information highways imposed the relentless sameness that is modern living, life here in the Rio Grande Valley followed the more natural rhythms of spring flood and fall harvest.  There was a season for everything, “and a time for every purpose under heaven.”  The importance of these natural rhythms is reflected in the care and skill that our ancestors lavished on such seemingly simple tasks as: carving a drum from a cottonwood stump; dying skeins of wool for a blanket; or forging a horseshoe with a hammer and anvil.  This event is geared toward families with children.  There is no admission charge for any of the Fiesta of Culture activities.  Food vendors will be available.

Coronado State Monument

12/4/11, Sunday
5:00am — 8:00pm
Christmas at Kuaua
After-hours holiday event, free for all ages

Get into the holiday spirit with an evening of family fun!  The grounds of Coronado State Monument will be decorated with hundreds of flickering luminarias and thousands of Christmas lights.  Activities start at 5:30 pm with Santa’s Workshop: children, assisted by a few kindly elves, will have an opportunity to make their own Christmas tree ornament.  Beginning at 6:30 pm, the Friends of Coronado State Monument will sponsor a program of music, traditional Pueblo dancing and Native American storytelling.  There will be a large bonfire, weather permitting.  Enjoy biscochitos and hot apple cider, courtesy of the Friends of Coronado.  FREE EVENT.

Coronado State Monument