Monuments to Main Street starts in September. Here are 7 events that will get you outdoors.

Leah Romero, Las Cruces Sun-News
·3 min read
Families participate in outdoor education programming in the form of hikes through the SUCCESS Partnership.
Families participate in outdoor education programming in the form of hikes through the SUCCESS Partnership.

LAS CRUCES – The city of Las Cruces’ annual Monuments to Main Street kicks off this month, highlighting the many beautiful spots in and around Las Cruces.

Throughout September, Friends of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks, Bureau of Land Management, Visit Las Cruces and other local partners will host various events for the community. Guided hikes, yoga sessions, bike rides and more are all on the schedule.

“Our residents take a lot of pride in our beautiful scenery that’s perfect for exploring,” said Hilary Dutcher, sales manager of Destination Experiences. “Fall is full of events that allow everyone to get outdoors, indulge in some of the great products produced in this region, and this event sheds a much-needed light on all of that.”

The full schedule of planned events can be found online at www.monuments2mainstreet.com.

Here are seven of the many opportunities people can partake in:

Kick off event

Monuments to Main Street will kick off with a free family event starting at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9 with live entertainment, food and games at the Plaza de Las Cruces, 100 N. Main St. There will also be information booths concerning outdoor recreation in the Las Cruces area.

Sunset strolls at White Sands National Park

Several sunset strolls are planned among the gypsum sand dunes. Rangers will guide groups and explain the geologic historic of the area. And the timing of the walk at sunset will give people great photo opportunities of orange and red light against the white sand.

Strolls will be held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 6 p.m. Participants should meet about five miles from the park’s fee station, near the sunset stroll sign parking area.

The walks are free, but park fees still apply. White Sands National Park is located between mile markers 199 and 200 along US Highway 70.

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Bird walks at various area parks

Mesilla Valley Audubon Society will lead multiple bird walks. Locations include the Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park, Sagecrest Park, Tellbrook Park and Leasburg Dam State Park — areas all over Las Cruces, Mesilla and Radium Springs.

Phone numbers for the walk leaders are available on the calendar events online. Those interested are encouraged to call ahead to ensure space is still available.

Summer movies in the park at Apodaca Park

The City of Las Cruces Parks & Recreation Department’s 2022 Movies in the Park series has two movies left for the summer. Disney’s “Soul” and “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” are scheduled for Sept. 10 and Sept. 24 respectively at Apodaca Park, 801 E. Madrid Ave.

Movies start at dusk. People are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets with them.

Guided tours of Fort Selden

Rangers will take groups around the historic Fort Selden site explaining the history of the early Mogollon people to the area’s involvement with Buffalo Soldiers during the American Civil War.

Fort Selden is at 1280 Fort Selden Road in Radium Springs. Admission is $5 for adults and children 16 and under can enter for free.

Several daytime tours are planned, along with a specific “Trade Along El Camino Real” walk and a basics of campfire cooking class. All events will be held from 11 a.m. to noon on their respective dates.

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Gravel bike rides

Fire group rides are planned throughout September. Routes are on multi-surface areas between 10 to 25 miles long. Rides are Thursdays and begin at about 6:30 p.m.

Meet up locations will be announced the Tuesday before the Thursday event. Stay up to date with the rides by following Monumental Loop on Facebook.

15th annual Car Show at Young Park

Take in another of Las Cruces’ many parks by attending the annual Car Show at Young Park, 850 S. Walnut St. Community members can enjoy the beauty of the park along with various vehicles on display from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 17.

Along with cars, there will be music, food and “family fun” for entertainment. For vendor and other information, contact Lupe Jimenez at 575-649-7814 or by email at phattrios@gmail.com.

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.

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This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Here are 7 Monuments to Main Street events that will get you outdoors