Poppies Fest, Cowboy Days top things to do for spring in El Paso, Las Cruces

Maria Cortes Gonzalez, El Paso Times
Updated ·3 min read

Springtime is almost here, and fortunately, we can get a jump start on celebrating the good weather, the outdoors and upcoming festivals.

At the top of the list is the Poppies Fest, which is El Paso's chance to take photographs of those pretty yellow wildflowers that grow around the El Paso Museum of Archaeology in Northeast El Paso.

In Las Cruces, the celebration turns to the classic cowboy and everything that makes up that world, from a parade of steer and sheep sheering demonstrations to enjoying a whole chuckwagon experience.

Cowboy Days occurs at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, 4100 Dripping Springs Road in Las Cruces.

Here's a closer look at El Paso and Las Cruces area festivals and the answer to common questions for this time of year.

When is the first day of spring 2024?

In the Northern Hemisphere, the first day of spring will be on March 19, 2024. This is also the start of the vernal equinox.

Poppies Fest returns in March

One of spring's best festivals is the Poppies Fest, which combines pretty wildflowers with relaxing walks, fun festival foods and things to buy.

The show of poppies is dependent on good rain during the winter months. Some people are already reporting the sight of them starting to bloom in the Northeast.

Poppies sprung up along a trail as El Pasoans walked through Castner Range National Monument on the last day of Poppies Fest in 2023. The fest returns this March.
Poppies sprung up along a trail as El Pasoans walked through Castner Range National Monument on the last day of Poppies Fest in 2023. The fest returns this March.

The Poppies Fest, sponsored by the city, will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 9, March 16, March 23 and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 30 at the El Paso Museum of Archaeology, 4301 Transmountain Road.

The fest will include food trucks, vendors, performances, exhibitors, workshops, archery and more. Free admission.

Cowboy Days ride into Las Cruces

Enjoy the ranching world with the 24th Annual Cowboy Days, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., March 2-3, at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, 4100 Dripping Springs Road in Las Cruces.

Pony rides are just one of the fun activities available at Cowboy Days at the Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces
Pony rides are just one of the fun activities available at Cowboy Days at the Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces

The event features a wagonload of activities, including a working dogs demonstration, sheep shearing and a working chuckwagon. Eventgoers will enjoy a variety of vendors and food trucks. Live music will be heard throughout the festival. Watch the Museum's cowboys showcase their many breeds of cattle in a returning favorite Parade of Breeds. The Museum's regular attractions and exhibits will also be open during this time for all to enjoy.

Admission will be $20 per carload. No pets allowed. (March 1 is the official first day of the event, with schools enjoying the educational activities. These activities are also open to the public with regular museum admission: adults $7, senior citizens (60 and up) $6, children (4 to 17) $4 and children 3 and under are free).

Time for child's play at Brick Fest Live

If your children are into building with Legos, you might want to get tickets for Brick Fest Live, starting at 9 a.m. May 18-19 at the El Paso convention center. Families can walk around to various stations, including playing with glow-in-the-dark building blocks and building race cars.

There also will be fun characters walking around for selfies.

Kid-built cars are ready to race at Brick Fest Live featuring life-sized models made from Legos, hands-on activities, and a meet-and-greet with Manny from the "Lego Masters" TV show at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024.
Kid-built cars are ready to race at Brick Fest Live featuring life-sized models made from Legos, hands-on activities, and a meet-and-greet with Manny from the "Lego Masters" TV show at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024.

Tickets are $19.99 and $34.99 (for VIP), available at https://bfltix.co/ELP-Tix.

Get out of your shell at Pecan Festival

The original Pecan Festival returns for the third annual year, March 2-3, at the Historic Mesilla Plaza in Mesilla, New Mexico. The festival hours will be 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday along Calle de Principal.

Celebrate this important crop in the New Mexico area with a day of delicious food, including fresh pecan pies, live music and fun activities for all ages. There will also be local and regional artisans and food, including alcohol vendors representing local vineyards and breweries.

Park along the one-way streets or at the Town of Mesilla parking lot, 2231 Avenida de Mesilla. Free admission. Information: 575-323-0027; www.nmpecanfest.com

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María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150; mcortes@elpasotimes.com, @EPTMaria on Twitter; eptmariacg on TikTok.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Spring 2024: Poppies Fest, Cowboy Days, Brick Fest Live