TEN FESTIVE REASONS TO VISIT SANTA FE

There are a lot of annual events in Santa Fe. Ten is ten and I had to choose. I missed the excellent Thirsty Ear Festival which took place last weekend. This event brings a diverse range of music to town for two days. During the summer, El Rancho de Golondrinas has festivals and special weekends; there are art events such as ArtFeast and many other offerings. To see the whole schedule for annual events go to the Santa Fe Convention and Visitors Bureau.

1. International Folk Art Market The 6th annual market is July 11-12 (it is traditionally held the 2nd weekend in July) Artisans from around the world bring their wares to juried event and standards are high. Even if you don’t want to buy anything, this is a great event; colorful, lively and fun. I enjoy viewing the beautiful items and chatting with the artists and there is world music and international food available. It’s held on Museum Hill, home of two State museums, the International Folk Art and Indian Arts and Culture and the admission price gets you into the event. You can’t park on the Hill that weekend, but they run shuttle buses all day long. There is an admission charge.
2. Indian Market is always the third weekend in August (this year August 22 and 23) and the population of Santa Fe swells exponentially during this event. Rooms book as early as a year in advance and don’t come without a restaurant reservation unless you don’t mind waiting a long time. Streets around the Plaza are closed off and brimming with people. Serious collectors of Indian art come from all over for the chance to buy the best. I go for the show. Besides being able to view some of the best Native American art in the country, you can also be part of the festivities. If you are a fan of silver and turquoise jewelry (and I am) watching vendors and attendees alike sport their incredible pieces is worth the trip. You can fuel up on Pueblo and Navajo fare in the food area behind the First National Bank.
3. Spanish Market This year, the fourth weekend in July (the 25th and 26th) brings the 58th Traditional Spanish Market. This event held in the Plaza showcases the traditional folk art of the Spanish settlers (and their descendants) who arrived in Santa Fe in the 1500s. (There is also Contemporary Spanish Market, which is set up in the adjacent streets and is a venue for descendants of Spanish settlers who work in non-traditional mediums to exhibit and sell their art.) There is lots of religious art- my favorite are boltos (round carvings of saints). Other traditional crafts include weaving, tinwork, ironwork, furniture-makers, straw-appliqué, potters, colcha embroiders and more. As with Indian Market, collectors come from all over.
4. Wine and Chile Fiesta This is a five-day event culminating in a food and wine extravaganza, The Grand Food and Wine Tasting, up at the Santa Fe Opera- a spectacular venue. I love this one in principal as I love food. However, working for hotels since I have been in Santa Fe, I am never off when the big Saturday event takes place. Maybe this year. Tickets go on sale July 6th (and pretty much off-sale). Last year demand was so great the web site crashed. So, if my fingers are quick, maybe I can go this year. Chefs from 60 Santa Fe restaurants serve tastings of signature dishes and 90 wineries are there to pour. And don’t worry about drinking and driving, there is shuttle service to and from the Opera. Earlier in the week, restaurants host wine dinners, there are “Guest Chef Luncheons, cooking demos, wine seminars and even a field trip/luncheon and an auction of rare wines.
5. The Santa Fe Opera’s 2009 season opens in early July and runs to the end of August. This is world-class opera and aficionados come from afar. The good seats sell out early. I love the whole experience, the opera itself, the venue, which is an architectural gem set to take in the incredible views and sunsets and the attendant pageantry. In a town where people rarely dress up, black-tie is not unusual here and neither are jeans. People wear everything and anything. For on-site dining options there is an Opera buffet, which has limited seating and sells out early, but I love tailgating. Dinners go from simple picnics to elegant candlelight affairs and if you don’t want to hassle, there is a catering company that sells box dinners (you order in advance).
6. The Chamber Music Festival takes part during the Opera season. Smart scheduling as they attract many of the same people to town. I love to go to concerts at the Saint Francis Auditorium (part of the New Mexico Museum of Art). It’s a great place to hear a concert. The choice of music is eclectic, from Baroque to 21st century and the performers are top-notch.
7. Santa Fe Film Festival held in early December (2009 Dec 2-6) showcases a broad selection of films from full-length Hollywood entrees to shorts to documentaries. There are entrees from all over the world. In 2008 I was able to see “Sunshine Cleaning Company,” before it hit the theaters. They also had “Doubt” and I’m sure a few others that I don’t remember plus a lot of films that are interesting and will almost never be seen in theaters. In 2007, I saw a few great films including “The Walker,” which I loved. I am a Woody Harrelson fan- what can I say. While not Cannes or Sundance, there are a smattering of well-known names and faces and the whole thing is fun. If you get the All Festival Pass you can attend all the parties, concerts etc.
8. Christmas Eve in Santa Fe and indeed the entire holiday season is wonderful. Downtown, buildings are decorated with greenery and the electrified, plastic farolitos that have replaced the traditional sand-filled bags with candles. They look beautiful, and if it happens to snow- fairyland. On Christmas Eve from about 6:00 PM until 10:00 Canyon Road is closed to auto traffic and becomes a sea of people. Here you will see the traditional sand-filled farolitos and piñon bonfires light up the road. People spontaneously burst into Carols and some stores stay open and even offer hot cider or hot chocolate. It is kind of like NYC’s Easter Parade, but colder and funkier. Christmas Eve also traditionally brings a few concerts and mid-night Mass at Saint Francis Cathedral is jammed to the rafters.
9. Indian Dances The Pueblo Indians have Feast Days with religious dances throughout the year. These often coincide with Catholic holidays. Many of these are open to the public and if you are here when there are dances, go. They are religious ceremonies and there is an etiquette that visitor’s are expected to adhere to. One New Year’s Day we went to the dances at Ohkay Owingeh and I was drawn into the dance by the clowns. I didn’t dare say “no,” from fear of offending and it was an amazing experience. For a schedule contact the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.
10. Desfile de los Niños is the children’s and pets’ parade held the Saturday of Fiesta week. Everyone dresses up and it is a hoot. Arrive early to get a good curbside vantage point. The parade departs from and returns to the Cathedral.