Red River prepares for revamped Memorial Day Weekend events
RED RIVER, N.M. (KRQE) – A biker gang shootout put a permanent end to a more than 40-year tradition in Red River. The town now has a new event called Mayfest in the Mountains.
The Taos County Sheriff’s Office said they’ll have a large presence at Red River’s re-branded festival this holiday weekend. They hope to send a strong message that what happened last year won’t be tolerated again.
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News: Red River prepares for revamped Memorial Day Weekend events
After last year’s deadly shooting, this Memorial Day weekend will mark the first in 42 years without a motorcycle rally in Red River. Last year, according to state police, a shootout erupted between the Bandidos and Waterdogs motorcycle gangs. The shooting left three people dead.
In place of the rally is a new event called Mayfest in the Mountains.
“Everyone’s a little on edge just because what we experienced last year and I think we’ll all be a lot more comfortable when we get this one done, we can see we can do a successful event,” said Red River Mayor Linda Calhoun.
The mayor said the new event will be more family-friendly with a veteran’s memorial wall, live music, games, and activities. She added businesses rely on the economic impact the weekend brings.
“This is the weekend that people look forward to having a really busy weekend and start to see the light at the end of the tunnel from off-season,” said Calhoun.
At least one local business is planning to hold an event for bikers on Memorial Day Weekend. While the mayor said Red River is not discouraging motorcyclists from coming to town, they’re hoping outlaw biker gangs will stay away.
The Taos County Sheriff’s Office said they’re working alongside New Mexico State Police and other nearby agencies to patrol the town. “I think our combined goal is to increase law enforcement presence and to send that message that this kind of conduct and criminal activity is not going to be tolerated in Taos County,” said Steve Miera, Taos County Sheriff.
The ultimate goal is a safer weekend. “It’s supposed to be a beautiful weekend. The weather is going to cooperate with us. We just invite everyone to come up,” said Calhoun.
Red River’s revamped Memorial Day festivities will start Friday morning and will run through Monday. Along with more officers in the area, NMSP said it will also ramp up patrols around Red River this weekend.
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