City highlights high fall festival turnout, WinterFest plans and holiday volunteer drive

Deputy director Noah Trujillo and director Connie Peterson briefed the commission on recent and upcoming community events, reporting attendance figures, dates, and volunteer opportunities.

Trujillo said the Oct. 18 fall festival drew more than 6,000 people and that the city’s trunk‑or‑treat and other activities were well attended. "We had over 6,000 people attend that event," he said. Trujillo also reported the city’s youth basketball league has about 450 participants and that the first games are scheduled to begin Dec. 6.

Peterson reviewed recent Veterans Day activities and upcoming holiday events. She said the Veterans Day parade on Nov. 11 included more than 40 floats and concluded at Veterans Monument Park with a ceremony featuring guest speakers including Mayor Hall. She described Sabana Grande’s holiday arts and crafts festival (held on the 15th) and highlighted local authors who attended.

Peterson said WinterFest will take place at Campus Park on Saturday, Dec. 6 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., with a parade, Santa, Artisan Market and tree lighting; she said vendor and parade registration deadlines are Nov. 21. She also announced the Hobbler Gobbler Thanksgiving run is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 27, starting at 9 a.m. at the Aquatic Center and organized by Steven Pino and Run Fit.

For a holiday volunteer drive, Peterson described the Santa for Veterans program: gift bags (toiletries, socks, books and snacks) may be dropped off at the Cabazon Community Center through Dec. 11, and staff plan to deliver collected items to the Veterans Hospital in Albuquerque on Dec. 18 so gifts arrive before the holidays.

No formal votes or policy actions resulted from these event updates, which staff said will continue to be promoted via the city website and social channels.