Enjoy some floating balloons and tee off at the golf course during this year's Pinto Bean Fiesta
On the horizon of September, the quaint town of Moriarty is gearing up for an exciting event - the 37th Annual Pinto Bean Fiesta. From the 26th to an unspecified date, the town will come alive with a variety of activities, including a parade, golf tournament, hot air balloon events, and a car show.
Kick-starting the celebration on September 27 at 10 a.m., a parade along Route 66 will make its way through downtown Moriarty. The parade will culminate at City Park where an airplane flyover is scheduled as the finale. If you're hoping to catch a glimpse of some comical entries, keep an eye out for the parade's memorable moments, such as the infamous "Queen Bean" contestant riding in a float with a bean pot - a toilet bowl strapped around her midsection.
The golf tournament, a new addition to this year's fiesta, promises an unconventional twist. Players will compete on a nine-hole course set up in open pasture land near the Moriarty Civic Center. Instead of traditional golf balls and clubs, participants will use miniature soccer balls and wooden shoe-equipped clubs. No special skill is required to play, and it's open to all ages. Suggested donations for the tournament are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 15.
Proceeds from the golf tournament will go towards the Rotary Club's nutritional backpack program at Moriarty Elementary School and the Rotary scholarship fund. Eina Gomez, city of Moriarty office clerk, mentioned that the bean cook-off will return next year.
In addition to the golf tournament, the fiesta offers a cornhole tournament and a Veterans of Foreign Wars car show from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with all proceeds supporting veteran services.
As the day winds down, attendees can listen to music from the band 7000 Feat. and grab food from food trucks or enjoy a beer from the beer garden.
The fiesta also features hot air balloon events. On September 26 from 6-8 p.m., witness the Hot Air Balloon Glow at Sierra Blanca Brewery, where you can enjoy locally crafted beer, courtesy of Gary King, past president of the Moriarty/Edgewood Rotary Club. The following morning, on September 27 from 6-8 a.m., watch as eight hot air balloons ascend from the Civic Center parking lot.
Dean Schwebach, a local resident, emphasised the significance of the parade in the event, stating that it often includes comical entries. He also recalled the parade's memorable moments, such as the "Queen Bean" contestant.
So, mark your calendars and join the festivities in Moriarty this September. Whether you're a golf enthusiast, a car lover, or simply enjoy the spectacle of hot air balloons, there's something for everyone at the 37th Pinto Bean Fiesta.
