Carlsbad’s beach bandshell area fulfills many different purposes in our community. This past Friday, it was the home to the Relay for Life competition, back after a two-year hiatus.
One of this year’s highlights was that CARC Inc. turned out for Relay this year. It was so great to get to visit with so many of CARC’s residents as they joined in at this fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. The Carlsbad Fire Department also put a huge flag over the bandshell, adding to the opening ceremonies Local businesses and nonprofits had booths set up around the Relay track. We were honored to be able to hand head organizer Angela Campos a proclamation declaring it to be “Relay for Life” day in Carlsbad. Carlsbad’s high school drum corps, “Strut,” then led our community’s participating survivors in the opening lap. Cancer survivors ranged in age all the way up past 90. Thank you to everyone who helped organize this event in the fight against cancer.
The Riverwalk Recreation Center will be kicking off Breast Cancer Awareness month with an event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Rec Center. Vendor booths will be set up until 4 p.m. For more information, please contact Renee Madrid at the Rec Center at (575) 887-2702.
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There were many other great events in Carlsbad this past weekend, including Septembeer Fest downtown, which was organized by Milton’s Brewing.
It was also Western Week in Carlsbad, and the four-day event included the crowning of Miss Rodeo Eddy County. Congratulations to the New Miss Rodeo Eddy County Royalty: Queen Shelby Kennedy, Teen Queen Avery Lawless and Princess Addie Parsons.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park was also host to a visit by members of the International Show Caves Association. This was a side trip as part of a conference in San Antonio. It was a lot of fun to get to join Dr. George Veni (with the National Cave and Karst Research Institute) and Carlsbad Caverns Superintendent Carmin Chapin in welcoming everyone to Carlsbad.
This week’s activities include the first annual “Walk for Recovery” on Thursday, Sept. 29 at 6 p.m. at the bandshell. This event will include a candlelight vigil in memory of those who have been lost to addiction or alcoholism, music and more than 15 support and resource booths. Local groups participating include the Eddy Magistrate DWI Court Program, Celebrate Recovery and the Eddy County DWI Program.
Meanwhile, on Friday and Saturday, the beach area will be devoted to the Cavern City Renaissance Festival. An area around the beach bandshell will be roped off for admission only, and a wide variety of events, including armored combat, are scheduled. For more information, please visit caverncityrenfest.com.
Sincerely,
Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway