Plenty of fun on the Ancient Way

Copyright © 2008
Gallup Independent
By Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola
Staff writer

RAMAH — Communities along New Mexico Highway 53, from Grants to Zuni, will be hosting events in celebration of the Ancient Way Fall Festival in the Zuni Mountains. These events are scheduled for this weekend and the following Saturday.

Saturday, Oct. 4

• Ancient Way Cafe Barbecue: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at El Morro RV Park and Ancient Way Cafe on N.M. 53; Cafe will feature special barbecue meal & RV Park will host demonstrations by Zuni fetish carver, silversmith, and blacksmith; possible evening bonfire; Information: (505) 783-4612 or elmorro@hughes.net
• Junction Cave Tour: 10 a.m. at El Malpais National Monument; a moderately strenuous caving adventure for adults and youth 10 years and older; wear long pants and sturdy shoes, and bring a flashlight, jacket, gloves, and water; meet park ranger at parking lot of the El Calderon Area (21 miles south of Grants on N.M. 53); tours are limited to 20 people, so arrive early; Information: (505) 783-4774.
• Ramah Farmers Market Harvest Festival: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., located next to Ramah Valley Diner on west side of Ramah; fresh produce for sale beginning at 10 a.m.; festival will feature benefit dinner, music, pie contest & auction, harvest table competition & auction, giant & weirdest vegetable contests, and “Beautiful Chicken Contest”; all contests have rules; Information: Jackie or Denis at (505) 783-4440 or ramahfarmersmkt@yahoo.com
• Ranger Led Hike: 10 a.m. at El Morro National Monument on N.M. 53; two-mile, slightly strenuous hike to the top of El Morro; wear sturdy walking shoes and bring water; hike is free, but park entrance fee is $3 per adult; meet ranger at Visitors Center; Information: (505) 783-4226.
• Zuni Fall Festival Arts Market: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Zuni Visitor & Arts Center; arts and crafts market, art demonstrations, educational booths, food, and traditional dances; free booths for Zuni community members; Information: (505) 782-7238 or tkenne@ashiwi.org
• Festival Kick-off: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Inscription Rock Trading & Coffee Co., one mile east of El Morro National Monument; games, pumpkin carving contest, bingo, arts and crafts, food, and live music (beginning at 1 p.m.); bring your own chair; Information: (505) 783-4400.
• Human/Horse Relay Race and 5K Fun Run/Walk: noon at DY Springs Road in Zuni; Human/Horse Relay Race involves two people and a horse per team: horse and rider complete 5.5 miles and runner completes 4 miles; registration from 7 to 11 a.m.; Information: Elton at (505) 782-2906.
• Ceramic Show and Fall Festival Reception: 1 to 4 p.m. at the Cibola Arts Council’s Double Six Gallery, 1001 W. Santa Fe Ave. in Grants; Information: (505) 287-7311.
• Presentation on Navajo Churro Sheep: 3 p.m. at Old School Gallery, located one mile east of El Morro National Monument; photographer Stacia Spragg will give a presentation about Navajo family’s efforts to save the Churro sheep; $5 admission; Information: (505) 783-4710.
  Sunday, Oct. 5
• Ancient Way Cafe barbecue: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at El Morro RV Park and Ancient Way Cafe; see Saturday’s listing for details.
• Annual Fiesta of San Rafael: 10 a.m. at San Rafael Church; celebration begins with 10 a.m. Mass, followed by dinner, food sales, games, raffles and more; Information: Hazel at (505) 876-8314 (work) or 287-3238 (home).
• Junction Cave Tour: 10 a.m. at El Malpais National Monument; see Saturday’s listing for details.
• Ranger Led Hike: 10 a.m. at El Morro National Monument; see Saturday’s listing for details.
• Zuni Fall Festival Arts Market: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Zuni Visitor & Arts Center; see Saturday’s listing for details.
• Art Salon & Exhibition Opening: 3 p.m. at Old School Gallery, located one mile east of El Morro National Monument; view the new art exhibit and meet the artists; Information: (505) 783-4710.

Saturday, Oct. 11

• Book Sale and Navajo Rugs at Information Center: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at El Malpais National Monument; bargains on books about geology, history, local cultures, and other Southwest topics; Ramah Navajo Weavers will host weaving demonstration and rug sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Information: (505) 783-4774.
• Cultural Fair: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at City Hall Park in Grants; family event will feature archaeology displays, pottery making, mountain men, and food; Information: (505) 287-4802.
• Third Annual Ancient Way Cycling Tour: 9 a.m. beginning at the New Mexico Mining Museum, 100 N. Iron Ave. in Grants; 30 mile all-paved tour along Highway 53; $30 entry fee; Registration Information: (505) 287-4802 or 1-800-748-2142.
• Fiber Arts Festival: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Old School Gallery, located one mile east of El Morro National Monument; featuring handcrafted fiber arts, spinning and weaving demonstrations, and food sales; vendor space available; Information: Sari at (505) 783-4438