‘Christmas’ in August
Bosque Chile Festival celebrates New Mexico’s red and green
Indulge in the scent and flavor of green and red chile at the Bosque Chile Festival.
The event on Saturday, Aug. 18, is presented by Bernalillo County and the National Hispanic Cultural Center.
“It really is meant to be a celebration of food, art and culture along the Rio Grande,” said Carrie Moritomo, marketing specialist for Bernalillo County’s Community Services Division. “The chile is starting to make its way into the metro area, and we want to embrace that. It celebrates our Hispanic culture and the agricultural background of Bernalillo County.”
There will be chef demonstrations by Europa Bakery and Peculiar Farms, The Shop Breakfast + Lunch and The Nightshift, and Last Call. Eventgoers will get to taste samples. There will be three agricultural lectures and educational sessions inside the NHCC. Organizers have also partnered with the Bernalillo County Extension Office. There will be a presentation on how to preserve chile and a session on growing New Mexico chile, with tips and tricks. Catherine Baca of Bueno Foods will be giving a primer on New Mexico green chile.
“We have our public art program doing vegetable print bandannas, which was really popular two years ago,” Moritomo said. “We joined forces with Downtown Mainstreet, and they will do demonstrations and color postcards, and then they will be mailing 500 cards out, so (eventgoers will be) sending postcards from the Bosque Chile Festival.”
Fun children’s activities as well as live entertainment featuring local singers, bands and dance groups will be part of the festival. This year, a redvs.-green poetry slam has been added. It will take place on the main stage. The winner will be selected based on audience applause and move on to the final poetry slam at the end of the day. The winner of that will become the Bosque Chile Festival poet laureate.
A fleet of artisans and vendors will be selling everything from jewelry to chile infused popcorn to spice packets. Several food trucks will be in attendance selling their chile-inspired foods and non-chile offerings. Beer and wine also will be available for purchase.