Events & Entertainment

[Coming Up] [Chuckwagon Suppers ] [Wind and Green Energy Fair] [Star Parties] [Free Flight Falcon Shows] [Music Festivals ] [Bear Fair] [Harvest Festival] [Special Events ] [Event Calendar]

As part of Wildlife West's continuous program of improvement and enhancement, we have developed an outstanding set of facilities for holding concerts, special events, festivals, catered functions, wildlife presentations, and a variety of festivals. We also host events for local theater companies and other organizations. Our covered amphitheater, fully-enclosed event barn, gazebo, outdoor areas for large events, and catering capabilities make Wildlife West a popular spot for events of all kinds. Special features such as parking lot shuttles and hayrides through the Park make our events not only fun, but accessible to all our visitors. Dry camping is also made available for some of our events.

Coming Up

Our 2009 event schedule includes:

• Wind Festival - May 2, 3
• Chuckwagon Dinner Shows Saturday nights - June 20 through Sept. 15.
• Bear Fair - July 11
• 7th Annual Music Festival - August 7 to 9
• Harvest Festival - August 28 - 30
• Melodrama - TBA
• Star Parties - TBA

Syd Masters & The Swing Riders

Chuckwagon Sunset Suppers and Shows

The suppers include a t raditional chuckwagon show, including a barbecue dinner, wildlife presentation, plus a western music show or bluegrass band. Many of our chuckwagon dinners feature the award-winning Syd Masters and the Swing Riders. The barbeque dinner includes brisket, chicken, ranch beans, baked potato, rolls, apple sauce, cookies, lemonade, coffee, and water. Shows take place rain or shine in our covered area. Jackets recommended. Our 2008 list of dates and bands is now available! Our 2008 season opener was a smash hit, as this photo slide show of the event shows.

The park is open to chuckwagon guests at 5:30, hayrides run from 6:00 to 7:00, and dinner is served at 7:00. The bird presentation is conducted at about 7:30. The music starts approximately 8:00 and usually runs for an hour.

Ticket information will be available soon!

Reservations are required by 2:00 PM on the day of the show. To make reservations, please contact us by phone:

Local - (505) 281-7655
Toll-Free - (877) 981-9453

Wind Festival and Green Energy Fair

Our Wind Festival and Green Energy Fair is scheduled for May 2 & 3, 2009. Come and enjoy the kites, banners, and renewable energy exhibits!

Star PartIES

Our Star Parties, held in cooperation with the Albuquerque Astronomical Society and other key sponsors, include lectures and exhibits at the Bean Barn and a chance to do some serious stargazing, with several telescopes on hand to allow a look at some impressive celestial features. Check back for dates as they are announced.

Free Flight Falcon Demonstrations

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, no wait . . . it IS a bird! Rather, it’s a pair of birds. The duo of Peregrine Falcons – the fastest raptor on earth – appear every summer in free flight demonstrations over Wildlife West Nature Park in Edgewood, the newest addition to the park’s educational and entertainment repertoire. Demonstrations are held Sundays at 1:30 in July, August, and September. For more information, see our pergrine falcon page.

Music Festivals

Wildlife West produces an annual, multifaceted music event on the first weekend of August every year. Nationally recognized performers such as John McCutcheon, the Claire Lynch Band, Alan Munde & the Gazette,Karl Shiflet and Big Country Show, the Byron Berline Band, Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike, Shawn Camp, and the Lynne Morris Band have appeared at many of Wildlife West's music festivals along with New Mexico favorites like Elliot's Ramblers, Raising Cane, Hot Club of Santa Fe, and Syd Masters and the Swing Riders. Many of our music festivals include workshops, contests, open jams, and other events, providing entertainment and fun for musicians and visitors alike! All our music festivals allow plenty of time to fully enjoy the zoo and other Park features. Bob Gray of Hot Club of Santa Fe calls Wildlife West "the best outdoor venue for bluegrass in New Mexico," and Syd Masters says Wildlife West is "the best outdoor venue in the State!" Come see for yourself! This year's festival is scheduled for August 7 to 9, 2009. For more information, visit our music festival page.

Bear Fair - July 11, 2009, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Fair features bear experts, vendors, wildlife exhibitors, and behind-the-scenes tours.

Harvest Festival, AUGUST 28-30, FRIDAY NIGHT AND 10am to 9pm Saturday & 10am to 4pm Sunday

The Harvest Festival includes a Friday night Sock Hop including 60s music with Elvis and a Hula Hoop contest. The fun continues Saturday morning with the 5K Pronghorn Fun Run & Pancake Breakfast and other events. Other events included a juried fine art show, wildlife encounters, Farmers' Market (with food tasting), wine tasting, a climing wall, carnival games, music, stage shows, and much, much more! Entertainment includes music, dance, face painting, tractor games, horshoe pitching, "Dumpy Big Foot" rides - and, of course, a Saturday night Chuckwagon Dinner featuring Syd Masters and the Swing Riders. Festival attendees enjoy free food tasting & food for sale from local growers markets, blacksmith demonstrations, antique tractor, truck, machinery, model trucks, and tractor displays. To get a feel for the fun, take a look at our Harvest Festvial 2008 slideshow.

Special Events

Wildlife West Nature Park hosts and produces a number of special events and festivals every year, including but not limited to, the New Mexico Wind Festival; the Fall Harvest Festival; the Edgewood Run, Rally and Rock; the Annual Route 66 Tractor Drive and Rally; and the Bear Fair. Many of our events include displays of antique cars, trucks, tractors, and associated competitions celebrating the rural heritage of the region and Wildlife West's close proximity to Historic Route 66. Hayrides, musical performances, and a climbing wall have become common features of our events - and, of course, all our special events include full access to the zoo and other features of the Park! For more information, consult our Event Calendar.

Event Calendar

Check our our preliminary 2008 Event Calendar in PDF format to learn about our festivals and other events for next year! Our event calendar will change as we add more detail, so please check back periodically to stay up-to-date!

Fall Harvest Festival 2006

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