Check out the schedule of activities planned for this weekend's ¡Mira! Las Cruces Festival

LAS CRUCES – Saturday, April 29 marks Visit Las Cruces’ first ¡Mira! Las Cruces Festival with festivities highlighting the southern New Mexico city scheduled throughout the afternoon and into the night.

¡Mira! Las Cruces is a free, family friendly event sponsored by the city’s tourism department with the goal of bringing attention to Las Cruces and its unique art, culture, cuisine, outdoor recreation, sights and sounds.

Here is a guide to the activities planned Saturday.

When and where will ¡Mira! Las Cruces be held?

Activities kickoff at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Plaza de Las Cruces, located at 100 N. Main St. In preparation for the event, Main Street will be blocked from the north roundabout to Bowman Avenue and from Las Cruces Avenue to Griggs Avenue starting at 5 a.m. Saturday.

Free parking is available in the surrounding area. Entrances to the festival are located on Main Street, Las Cruces Avenue, Griggs Avenue, Compo Street and La Placita.

What kind of entertainment will ¡Mira! Las Cruces feature?

Performing groups Rodeo Norteño and Proud Pete will take the stage on the plaza for live music performances throughout the day. Deming-born country music star Frank Ray will headline the festival and take the stage later in the day.

Other performers include the Organ Mountain High School cheer and poms, Centennial High School cheer and drumline, Alma D’Arte Charter High School bucket drum line, Las Cruces Ukes, Mariachi Jalisciense and dance lessons by Sol Balroom and Ballet Folklórico Diamantes del Valle. A live DJ will perform in the food truck area.

The Rio Grande Theatre will host International Day of Dance programing. From 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., AM Ballroom Dance, Odd-Lab Entertainment and FireFox Productions will present performances of Tango, Paso Doble, the Viennese Waltz, the Cha Cha, Salsa, Swing, Bachata and West Coast Swing.

Admission to all performances is free. The Rio Grande Theatre is located at 211 N. Main St.

What other activities will be available?

Aside from live music and performances, attendees will have the chance to experience live art and mural painting on the plaza, a chalk art competition, face painting and live screen printing by Organ Mountain Outfitters. Rock climbing, interacting booths and a car show will also be part of the event.

Visit Las Cruces and lotería selfie stations will be set up on the plaza.

A beer and wine garden will remain open during the entire ¡Mira! Las Cruces event Saturday for attendees 21 and older with a valid ID.

“¡Mira! Las Cruces is an opportunity to highlight our beautiful city and the people and places that make it a vibrant community,” said Lorena Lozano, Visit Las Cruces marketing director, in a news release. “From the live entertainment to car show and vendors everything is intentional and meant to display the area’s food, culture, art and music.”

What happens to the Las Cruces Farmer’s & Crafts Market this weekend?

The Las Cruces Farmer’s & Crafts Market will move from Saturday, April 29 to Sunday, April 30 just for this weekend. However, a “mini” market will be set up during ¡Mira! Las Cruces with various food and craft vendors. Food trucks will also be on site to serve festivalgoers.

What should I bring to the festival?

Limited seating will be available at the festival. Attendees are welcome to bring the own folding chairs. Well-behaved dogs are allowed at ¡Mira! Las Cruces but must remain leashed.

Weather Saturday is expected to be sunny and warm with a high near 78 degrees and a low near 51 degrees. The National Weather Service predicts winds will be mild. People are encouraged to bring sunscreen, hats and take other safety measures while in the heat for extended periods of time.

“We’re hoping to make this a signature event for Las Cruces,” said Ikani Taumoepeau, assistant city manager, in a news release. “Not only is it something that residents can support and be proud of, but it is a way for visitors to experience the city in just one visit and encourage them to return and explore.”

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Leah Romero is the trending reporter at the Las Cruces Sun-News and can be reached at 575-418-3442, LRomero@lcsun-news.com or @rromero_leah on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Check out the schedule planned for the ¡Mira! Las Cruces Festival