Five Things to Do This Weekend

1 Catch—and release—hummingbirds.

Find small birds and make big memories at the Hummingbird Festival at the Mimbres Culture Heritage Site on Saturday and Sunday. The festival began 20 years ago in the backyard of the ornithologist Joan Day-Martin, with a few local craftsmen selling hummingbird-related goods and treats. Today, the two-day celebration at the Mimbres Culture Site hosts more than 20 vendors and features an array of children’s activities, as well as tours of the Mattocks Archaeological Site. Many of the activities focus on archaeology and the natural world, reflecting the mission of the Imogen F. Wilson Education Foundation, which organizes the festival.

“We have been very active in trying to educate people about the history and rich culture of this valley from the prehistoric right up through the present,” says Bill Hudson, president of the foundation. Don’t forget to cool down with ice cream, as proceeds go towards the Mimbres Culture Heritage Site. The main event begins around 7:30 a.m., when ornithologists catch, band, and release hummingbirds, which can be watched from afar. Some lucky visitors are chosen to hold the docile birds until they fly away. “It’s a wonderful watch,” says Hudson.

2 Go hogwild.

Catch the tail end of the 50th annual Sandoval County Fair in Cuba this weekend. With the theme “Golden Years, Golden Memories,” the fair celebrates Sandoval County fair traditions with livestock shows, rodeo action, a powwow, a parade, concessions, and vendors. “One of the highlights is a special indoor exhibit,” says Janell Trujillo, treasurer of the Sandoval County Fairboard. “It features historical photos and memorabilia that showcase the fair’s rich history.”

On Friday, visitors can enjoy the Rodeo Grand Entry, mutton busting, NMRA Rodeo, and a dazzling charro performance by Daniel Castro. Don’t forget your dancing shoes as the night concludes with a performance by country act Second to Last. Saturday’s lineup includes more classic events, such as a parade, barbecue cook-off, tailspin roping, a powwow, livestock auctions, a watermelon eating contest, and a Brandon Saiz concert. “The Sandoval County Fair is known for its welcoming small-town atmosphere,” says Trujillo. Purchase your tickets here. Tickets purchased at the gate are cash only.

3 Experience storytelling through dance.

Watch Native youth transform hoops into shapes and stories at the 5th annual Youth Hoop Dance Championship at Milner Plaza on Museum Hill, held this weekend in Santa Fe. Competitors use movement and hoops to replicate shapes, animals, symbols, and designs, telling a story rooted in culture and heritage. During the championship, presented by the Lightning Boy Foundation, four divisions compete: the Tiny Tot Division, Youth Division, Teenage Division, and Collegiate division. On Saturday, all groups, except Tiny Tot, dance individually. On Sunday, every division dances simultaneously while judges rank the top three dancers from each division who receive a cash prize. The event is entirely outdoors, so be sure to bring handheld fans, hats, and plenty of sunscreen.

4 Strum your weekend away.

Learn how to make and play a timeless instrument, the dulcimer, during the Dulcimer and Old Tyme Music Festival this weekend at the Red River Community House. The festival offers three days of workshops, jam sessions, concerts, and other programming for beginners and experienced musicians alike. Workshops include sacred harp singing, beginning hammered dulcimer, beginning bowed psaltery, canjo building, musical saw basics, and so much more. On Friday evening, enjoy live acoustic music played by locals and festival participants. On Saturday, catch midday performances from the Sunflower Strummers, the Houston Family, and Morningside, and evening performances from Duane Porterfield, Sweet Song String Band, the Vanderveer Brothers, and others. For a detailed schedule of events, visit the website here.

5 Send off summer.

As the end of summer rapidly approaches, experience the final celebration of Albuquerque’s Westside Summerfest on Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. at Ventana Ranch Community Park. The free concert series centers everything local, including food, breweries, wineries, performing artists, and artisans selling art, home goods, clothing, and jewelry. Two stages feature musical acts, including Vicente y La Nueva Faze, Black Smoke Blues Band, Levi Dean and the Mesa Rats, and more. Whether you are hungry, have a sweet tooth, or want to sit back with a drink, Summerfest has you covered. Grab a bite from Loaded Lemon ABQ, Burrito Baby, Wanna Taco Bout Burgers, or head to the cantina for drinks from Safe House Distilling Co., As Above So Below, and more. The event also has fun activities for the whole family, including inflatable games, a 25-foot climbing wall, and free face painting.