Ticket feature: Little Texas to help kickoff county centennial

Little Texas is coming to New Mexico to help Curry County celebrate 100 years of history.

Saturday marks the start of public events for the centennial celebration with a presentation of the Special Events Center. The event includes a chuckwagon lunch.

The evening features a show on the history of Curry County and the significance of the centennial.

Country rock band Little Texas closes the event with a concert.

Charlene Maclean, temporary events coordinator for the Special Events Center, said that the day of family fun is intended to reflect and honor the past.

“We’re just trying to show how things have changed over the last 100 years and Curry County with it,” she said

During the daytime events, there will be traditional cowboy music performed by Lone Prairie, and children’s games will be available.

The concourse of the events center will be lined with booths from different businesses in Curry County, Maclean said.

Advance tickets for both events are available at the Clovis and Curry County Chamber of Commerce, at the Curry County administration office, at www.curryeventscenter.com and at the door.

This week’s events:

• Saturday — Special Events Center Grand Opening/Centennial Kickoff Chuckwagon Lunch. Sirloin tips, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls and a slice of peach cobbler. Event also includes music and a chance to have a picture taken with Miss Moo Curry County. Tickets are $20 per person.

• Saturday — Centennial Kickoff Concert, $20 in advance until Friday and $25 at the gate. Tickets can be purchased for the lunch and concert for $40 on the day of the event ($35 in advance until Friday).

Future events:

• June 6 — Pioneer Days Parade.

• June 27 — Dairy Fest. Community-wide party that includes dairy-themed games and contests for all ages, live music and food.

• July 25 — Border Town Days Parade in Texico.

• Aug. 10-15 — Curry County Fair. Celebrating veterans and pioneers, these individuals will be presented with a certificate of honor Aug. 14. Veteran and pioneer names must be pre-registered to receive a certificate. Free entry into the fair for those registered. Contact the County Administration office at 763-6016 to register. Registration deadline is Aug. 1.

• Date to be announced — Breakfast in Melrose at the Melrose Senior Center.

Items available for purchase:

• Centennial Cookbook — More than 600 recipes that bridge the past 100 years and photos reflecting those times. $15 each.

• Centennial Throw Blanket — designed by Chamber Ambassadors and depicting how far Curry County has grown. $50 per throw, limited number available. See Clovis/Curry County Chamber of Commerce for details

• Centennial History Book — published by the Clovis News Journal to include a Pioneer Families edition.

• Centennial lapel pins, coins, Christmas ornaments and Christmas greeting cards featuring the centennial logo will also be available.