Round Rio Rancho

The annual “Pooch Plunge” is held each year in the outdoor pool at Haynes Park in Rio Rancho, NM. After the Summer swimming season is over, but before they close down the pool, the City’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department lets dog owners bring their pets to an event which is basically an aquatic dog park. The retrievers and spaniels loved it, repeatedly chasing floating tennis balls and frisbees. Even non typical water-friendly breeds like St. Bernards seemed to love it. A local pet food specialty store, Pet Food Gone Wild, organized a pet fair outside the pool area with dog related services and suppliers.

Right after the Rio Rancho Christmas Parade the Parks and Recreation Department sponsored a Luminaria Tour at Haynes Park. Over 12,000 real luminarias (a candle burning inside a paper bag with sand at the bottom) formed pathways throughout the darkened park, leading from one park shelter or band stand to the other. Snacks, drinks and music were everywhere, as were lighted holiday characters of all kinds. Santa and Mrs. Claus paid a short visit to the event, and chatted with a number of small children. At 7:00 pm, there was a wonderful fireworks display. I’ve visited Haynes park several times in past years for this event, and never get tired of the sight of the thousands of glowing luminarias lining the pathways and the curving hills of the park. Kudos to the city staff for continuing this great tradition.

The City of Rio Rancho is big on parades – including a Christmas Season Parade and a 4th of July Parade, but none of them approach the significance of the annual Memorial Day Parade. With the country slowly withdrawing from one war, and expanding another one, we all had good reason to take some to celebrate the contributions made by our men and women in uniform.

Following the parade there was a ceremony at the Rio Rancho Veteran’s Memorial.

With a high percentage of the active military contingent from New Mexico coming from the state’s National Guard and Reserve forces, we all need to support these organizations, their members and families. We’ll have more about the Guard and Reserves in an upcoming post.