6 Summertime Experiences You Can Only Have in the East Mountains

Lots of Activities and Events run all summer long in the East Mountains, but here are a few that are unique to the EM. Greater Edgewood Area Chamber maintains a complete calendar of events.

Goat Yoga – weekends through September
Certified yoga teachers lead yogis through a fun, interactive class alongside playful goats. Each classes (child-adult) begin with the opportunity to interact with the baby goats. Then, relax your way through a yoga sequence that combines a variety of poses and styles – snuggle up with a goat during child’s poses or let a goat join you for plank – on your back! Classes are one hour in length, the first 15 minutes or so feeding the baby goats, the remainder of the time practicing yoga with the babies. Class size limited to 30 students, and each participant needs their own ticket. Class times are 2:00pm and 4:00pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday. For more details and tickets ($15), go to Wildlife West Nature Park website.

Founders Ranch Shotgun Sports Club — Wednesdays-Sundays
You’ve never experienced sporting clays? Well, simply put, it’s like golf with a shotgun. This beautiful ranch is home a 14-station, world class outdoor course that is never the same twice thanks to hi-tech programming. On-site staff are ready to provide instruction for men and women new to the sport and those wanting to learn new skills. Rental equipment available, if needed. This ranch is home to Single Action Shooting Society and the World Championships of Cowboy Action Shooting. Whether you’re a novice or advanced, you simply won’t find more friendly and knowledgeable folks anywhere in New Mexico. More info available at Founders Ranch.

Chuckwagon Supper & Show – twice monthly ‘til September 1st
You can’t call yourself a local until you’ve been to the Chuckwagon Supper & Show at Wildlife West. This is the only show of its kind in a nature park, featuring a free-flight falcon exhibition. And, that’s just the starter! Dinner is traditional BBQ with all the fixins’ followed by energetic musical performances that will have your toes tappin’ and your hands clappin’! This is a true New Mexico experience, and a fantastic activity to share with your out-of-town guests, too. For more details and tickets ($13-27), go to Wildlife West.

16th Annual Edgewood Music & Arts Festival — July 27th & 28th
Wildlife West produces an annual music festival bringing you the best of bluegrass, Western Swing, Irish, Singer/Songwriter and other acoustic genres. Wildlife West’s covered amphitheater and indoor venues provide shade and shelter, and plenty of seating. Our music festivals include workshops, open jams, and other events, providing entertainment and fun for musicians and visitors alike! All our music festivals allow plenty of time to fully enjoy the zoo and other Park features. Headliners include Karl Schiflett & Big Country Show, Wood & Wire, The Merlettes, The Cowboy Way and many more!! Get complete details at Wildlife West.

18th Annual Route 66 Run, Rally & Rock — August 4th
This annual hometown event celebrates both the anniversary of Edgewood’s incorporation and the significance of the Mother Road for local commerce historically and still today. The annual parade is one of the largest in the region, featuring a myriad of classic cars and unique vehicles, community groups, floats, music, horses and a variety of other four-legged friends. Activities for the kids include inflatables and dunk tank, business and artisans EXPO, free entertainment and food fill the day. An incredible fireworks show light up the night skies thanks to Rich Ford. This event is hosted by Rich Ford Edgewood with participation from numerous community groups and Town of Edgewood. FREE. More details available at Route 66 Run, Rally & Rock.

Dirty Dash Mud Run — August 18th
This filthy 5K empowers couch potatoes and athletes alike to put on their running shoes. You don’t have to be tough to play dirty – it’s the mud run for everyone! Our sloppy mud pits, slip’n’slides, and foam baths are prep’d for even more filthy fun than ever before. You’ll need endurance to trudge up mountains of sludge, courage to overcome uncompromising obstacles, a complete lack of shame to wallow in pits of mud, and a smile to show through to the end! Obstacles include: Squeaky Clean Start – This is one ‘before’ picture that looks better than the ‘after’ picture; Big Pig Climb – A jaunt that will make you regret all those summer BBQs; Hog Bales – Hay is for horses… and Dirty Dashers; Pig Pen – You may need some help… so be nice to your fellow Dashers; Slop’n’Slide – Remember when you were a kid and you used to have fun? Secret Obstacle – [???]; Hog Wash – You can avoid this, but you won’t want to… watch out for projectiles! Pig Sty – A really big mud pit… ’nuff said. Filthy Finish – You are now a true Dirty Dasher. Takes place at Wildlife West Nature Park. Details at Dirty Dash Mud Run.