Labor Day in southern New Mexico signals many things to residents – fall is near, festivals are plenty and it’s time to stock up on Hatch chile.
The 51st annual Hatch Chile Festival will take over the Village of Hatch for the holiday weekend with live entertainment, contests and plenty of opportunities to buy chile products. Here is what you should know about one of the largest attended events in southern New Mexico.
When and where is the Hatch Chile Festival?
The festival will take over three areas in Hatch – the Icebox Brewery Yard at 119 E. Hall St., the Hatch Valley High School Pecan Orchard at 170 E. Herrera St., and the area behind the Village Market Grocery Store at 418 W. Hall St. Festivities will continue from Friday, Sept. 1 through Sunday, Sept. 3.
People can find live music and 21+ beverages at Icebox Brewery. A $10 admission will be required each day. The carnival by Sun Valley Rides will be set up behind the Village Market Grocery Store each day until 10 p.m.
The main festivities will be held in the HVHS Pecan Orchard, including chile eating contests, watermelon eating contests, vendors, more live music and other entertainment.
Full Hatch Chile Festival schedule
Food and craft vendors will be on site. Children can enjoy a trackless train ride and bouncy castle, while other take a turn on the mechanical bull.
Cornhole and other yard games will be available at Icebox Brewery.
How did the Hatch Chile Festival come about?
The annual Hatch Chile Festival began in 1972 as a way for many of the area's chile farmers to get together and enjoy a big meal and dancing. Rather than being held within the village itself, the festival was held out at the Hatch Municipal Airport off New Mexico Highway 26. The sign commemorating the festival still remains on the side of the road.
Over the years, more activities, contests and attractions grew the simple gathering into the festival people know today. In recent years, the festival has attracted thousands of people from across the country and worldwide to the small village that is the Chile Capital of the World.
What is the festival pricing?
In 2022, a mother and son were charged with illegally collecting parking fees from festival attendees. The duo claimed, incorrectly, that they were working on behalf of the chile festival.
Admission for the 2023 main festivities at the HVHS Pecan Orchard is free and the festival itself is not charging for parking. However, festival organizer Lisa Franzoy said private residents or businesses may charge for parking on their property.
Attendees should be vigilant when asked to pay for parking.
Admission to Icebox Brewery’s beer garden is $10 each day. Admission to the carnival is $35 while ride tickets are an extra $1 each. Presale admission tickets are available for purchase at the Hatch Public Library for $25 through Wednesday, Aug. 30.
Leah Romero is the trending reporter at the Las Cruces Sun-News and can be reached at 575-418-3442, [email protected] or @rromero_leah on Twitter.