STATE FAIR PARADE HEADS WEST THIS YEAR!

By NM State Fair

New Mexico State Fair officials announced a new parade route for the 2018 State Fair Parade today. On Saturday, September 8^th, at 8:30 a.m., the parade will depart from the southwest corner of Expo New Mexico at San Pedro and Central and travel weston Central to Girard.  Longtime parade goers who are used to watching the parade go east on Central Avenue need to be aware of this year’s change in direction.

“This is a great opportunity to bring the iconic tradition of the State Fair Parade to a new audience,” said General Manager, Dan Mourning. “This is also a great invitation to those who have yet to check out the Highland and Nob Hill district since the completion of the city’s ART Project.”

The State Fair Parade – long established as the biggest parade in the state – is marshaled and assisted by the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Posse and is open to participation by anyone.  The Grand Marshalls for this year’s parade are the 2018 CIF Champions, the Duke City Gladiators indoor football team which calls Tingley Coliseum on the fairgrounds its home playing field.

There are 224 entries in this year’s parade. The following major awards will be presented:  the Theme Award for the entry with the Best Representation of the Theme which this year is “Love is in the Fair!”  The Judges’ Award is presented for the Most Artistic Use of Design & Music.  The Fantasy Award is for the Most Whimsical Representation of the Theme and the Governor’s Award is presented for the Most Spectacular entry.

The New Mexico State Fair celebrates its 80th anniversary this year and runs through September 16, 2018.