Trade Fair at Martinez Hacienda is over 200 years old (and going)
THE ANNUAL TAOS TRADE FAIR will be hosted at La Hacienda de los Martinez on Sunday (Nov. 7) from noon to 4 p.m.
After several years of the trade fair not being active, Daniel Barela, the president of Taos Historic Museums that include La Hacienda de los Martinez Museum, is eager to bring the tradition back.
“It showcases the different dynamics of how people used to ... survive back then and how our cultures still are relevant – to still make our own things to trade and to sell and to survive,” said Barela.
Barela said historically, in the 1800s, the trade fair would serve as a week’s long (or possibly longer) truce between “the mountain men, the Spanish and Native Americans” to trade and exchange goods before the winter. The Martinez Hacienda would serve as a trading hub due to its geographic location, according to Barela.
“In the mountains here everybody ... really tried to prepare for the winter months. Basically, what you would do all summer and all spring was prepare for the fall, for harvest, so when winter came you weren’t struggling and having to go through a harsh hungry winter,” said Barela.
The goods traded at the fair would often include items such as blankets, food, and fur.
On Sunday, items and demonstrations relevant to the 19th century trade fair will be on display. Sundays’ activities will include a traditional mule-packing demonstration, Santero carving and exhibit, a blacksmithing demonstration, Comanchero stories and songs, Navajo wool spinning and weaving and an illustrated talk of the Old Spanish Trail.
Barela said he hopes to expand next year’s trade fair to include more vendors, historical and cultural exhibitions, live music and food. He said, there were constraints this year due to COVID and this was the first year of bringing back the event.
Martinez Hacienda is located at 708 Hacienda Road, off Lower Ranchitos Road, southwest of Taos Plaza. Admission will be free to residents. For more information about the event, call 575758-1000.