Food, Art, Culture All Part Of Jemez Pueblo ‘Open Air Market’ Oct. 10-11

Submitted by Chris Clark
on October 6, 2015
- 8:07 pm

COMMUNITY News:

JEMEZ SPRINGS — Spectators at the Balloon Fiesta will get an eyeful of colorful scenery and culture at the 13th annual Jemez Pueblo “Open Air Market,”from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Oct. 10 and 11, at the Walatowa Visitor Center near Jemez Springs, just north of Albuquerque along the scenic Jemez Mountain Trail.

Spectators can sit against the backdrop of the beautiful terra cotta colored Jemez Red Rocks and get a taste of Jemez Pueblo culture with a number of traditional food items such as Indian Tacos and fry bread sold by pueblo vendors.

Across the street, vendors from Jemez Pueblo will be selling handmade pottery, jewelry, crafts, and other items outdoors at the Open Air Market.

The pueblo will show visitors how to make traditional bread through a baking demonstration and showcase traditional Jemez Pueblo dances dating back hundreds of years. Fresh, local produce and locally made items will be sold at the Farmers Market on site.

While enjoying the idyllic, colorful drive on Hwy 4 through Jemez Springs, spectators can walk among the ruins dating back at least 700 years at the Jemez Historic Site, 12 miles up the road in Jemez Springs.

The site includes the stone ruins of a 500 year old Indian Village of Giusewa along with the San José de los Jemez church built in 1621. A 1,400 foot interpretive trail winds through the impressive site and a heritage center contains exhibitions that tell the story of the site through the words of its people.

The site is open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Admission is $3; children 16 and under are free.

Visit nmmonuments.org for more information.

While in Jemez Springs for the Open Air Market, visitors can soak in the healing benefits of the mineral waters at historic Giggling Springs and Jemez Springs Bath House or take home unusual finds at locally owned stores such as Weekends, Janecka Collection, and Mountain View Gifts and Decor.

Jemez Springs is also the site of the upcoming 12th annual Jemez Mountain Trail Sale, Oct. 17 and 18 – the longest yard sale in New Mexico with 26+ miles of items for sale ranging from new, handcrafted items to preowned artwork, appliances, knick knacks and more.

Visit jemezsprings.org/shopping.html for complete information.

Directions to the Jemez Pueblo Open Air Market, located at the Walatowa Visitor Center from Albuquerque: Take I-25 to Bernalillo exit 242, head west on U.S. 550 to San Ysidro. Merge onto Hwy 4 and continue eight miles to the beautiful and scenic Jemez Red Rocks, across from the Walatowa Visitor Center.

For more information about Jemez Springs and the area, visit jemezsprings.org.