COMING TOGETHER
Al Hurricane Jr. to headline ‘One ABQ Celebration’
Albuquerque is hosting a familyfriendly celebration in honor of community service.
This is the first year for the “One ABQ Celebration,” which will take place on Sunday, Aug. 12, in Civic Plaza. The celebration commemorates Mayor Tim Keller and Albuquerque first lady Elizabeth Kistin Keller’s “One ABQ Challenge.” The challenge, which launched on Aug. 1, was created to encourage citizens to serve and to raise awareness of organizations in the community that are in need of volunteers and resources. This year’s theme is “Connecting Youth and Elders.”
“It’s more of a party to celebrate the community, tell people to get involved in the community, but also celebrate the different organizations that we have out there that are really community oriented as well as just all of the individuals and citizens that have a cause that they care about and volunteer and donate and do different things to get involved,” said Bree Ortiz, events and operations manager for the city.
There will be 21 booths manned by sponsors and nonprofit organizations.
“They’ll have booths out there, and they’re having different games and craft stations and coloring, and it will all be hands-on, but their representatives will be there to talk to people about getting involved in the community and doing the different things that they do,” Ortiz said. “… People will be out to have a fun free time with their family on a Sunday afternoon. Get food, enjoy dancing, but also get involved and learn more about the organizations that are out there.”
Children’s activities and music by three local acts, including headliner Al Hurricane Jr., will also be part of the event. Food trucks will be on hand, as well as beer and wine vendors.
“Al Hurricane Jr. is a huge draw,” Ortiz said. “People are so excited to come. This is the first time that the stage construction and everything has been done, and he’s performing, because, remember, it’s the Al Hurricane Pavilion, named after his dad, and the sign and everything is up, so this will be the first time that he’s performing on a completed Al Hurricane Pavilion.”