Spring awakening: Here's what happening in Glenwood in the coming months

Glenwood is reawakening after a long COVID sleep. The traditional March and April events are back. The Glenwood Street Market reopens in March, weather permitting, and the Glenwood Woman’s Club bingo event is set for March 19. April brings back the major spring events with the annual Whitewater Mesa Fun Kite Flying Picnic on April 2, followed by the Dutch Oven Gathering, Glenwood Library Book Sale and Glenwood Woman’s Club Rummage Sale on April 9.

GWC Bingo – March 19

Glenwood Woman’s Club is hosting a fundraising bingo Saturday March 19 at Glenwood Community Center. The Spring Fling event will feature a cash bingo from 1 to 4 p.m. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. The caller will be Kerry Ruth For $15, adults get 10 games. There will be a $100 blackout game. Snacks and drinks will be available. There will also be a 50/50 raffle and door prizes. Proceeds will benefit the Glenwood Woman’s Club Scholarship Fund. The Community Center is located at 14 Menges Lane in Glenwood

Kite fest – April 2

High-flying fun is back for 2022 on Saturday April 2 when the annual Whitewater Mesa Fun Kite Flying Picnic returns to the wide open spaces on the mesa north of Glenwood.

Due to the pandemic, the event was last held in 2019. This is an outdoor event in plenty of wind. For the benefit of yourself and for others, please take note of whatever safe-health practice guidelines are current in April.

Hundreds of people of all ages participate in this colorful, family-friendly event. It is sanctioned by the American Kitefliers Association, so kite-fliers come from all around the state and around the country to show off their spectacular creations.

Expected to return this year is Deb Lenzen of Prescott, Arizona, who is only the third woman in the history of the American Kitefliers Association Grand Nationals to earn the title of Grand Champion Kite Maker. Her flying fish was a big hit at the 2018 kitefest.

It’s not just for pros — everyone from toddlers to senior citizens test their kite-fling skills. There’s something exhilarating about watching the colorful display of the kites diving and weaving in the winds above the mesa. There is plenty of space without fences so your kite strings won’t get tangled, and plenty of room to park for your tailgate picnic.

In addition, for a completely different experience, walk one or all six of the labyrinths and a maze across the road at Whitewater Mesa Labyrinths.

It all happens from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday April 2 at Whitewater Mesa Labyrinths, 355 Bursum Road (NM 159) off Hwy 180, between Glenwood and Alma.

Admission is free. There will be a free raffle drawing for a kite at 2.30 p.m., so be sure to pick up your free raffle ticket on arrival at the gate with the labyrinth sign.

Water, kite-mending supplies, a Johnny on the Spot porta-pottie and loaner kites are provided.

Bring your picnic, your kite, your laughter, the whole family and all your friends, your sunhat and something to sit on.

Additional directions : GPS 33.3765, -108.852 Note: On MapQuest, Google Maps or Apple Maps be sure to enter Glenwood NM after 355 Bursum Road or you will end up 35 miles away on a trail up the mountain in the Gila Wilderness! For Places To Stay & More Information, go to www.wmlabyrinths.com/glenwood-lodging-etc or contact Cordelia Rose 575-313-1002 (call or text.)

Dutch Oven Gathering – April 9

For great food in the great outdoors, check out the Annual Glenwood Dutch Oven Gathering Saturday April 9 at Glenwood Community Park. The event features cooking teams serving up delicious meals in dutch ovens around the site. It’s fun to watch the teams as they prepare traditional and updated dishes over campfires and charcoal fires. Last year’s menus included chicken cacciatore, grilled pork shops, green chile stew, sage-stuffed roast beef, venison stew, three-meat chile and more.

Each team prepares a full meal — a meat dish, a side dish, a bread, and a dessert. Water, lemonade, or coffee will be supplied with the meal. Each camp will have a menu on display. The cooks enjoy visits and telling people about their ways of cooking.

Browse around and find the meal you would like most and then purchase a ticket for $10 per meal. Menus are posted at each site and in the pavilion where tickets are sold. Buy your tickets early as meals sometimes sell out. Serving begins about 2 p.m. at each camp where the meals are being prepared. Enjoy your dutch oven dinner at the park or take it home.

There will be a small contest for the cooking teams who want to participate.

Other activities this year include games to pass the time and vendor shopping.

Organizer Molly Bryan said they are still looking for cooking teams and vendors to participate. There is a fee of $25 for vendors. Contact Molly at 575-539-2714 or cell: 575-574-7704 or 3mollymules60@gmail.com for information.

Glenwood Library book sale – April 9

In conjunction with the Dutch Oven Gathering, Glenwood Library will be having a book sale at the ball field area of the Community Park. There will be a huge selection of books, CDs and DVDs available for readers and viewers to add to their collections. Pick up your favorites and pay by donation.

Glenwood Woman's Club rummage sale – April 9

GWC’s annual rummage sale is also set for Saturday, April 9 at the Community Center. There will be lots of good quality clothing, household items and furniture. Donations may be dropped off Friday, April 8 at the Community Center.

Glenwood Street Market

Starting in March, The Glenwood Street Market will be back in business Saturdays, weather permitting, on Highway 180 in downtown Glenwood. Vendors offer a wide variety of wares including baked goods, unique handmade items, produce and snacks. The market is open Saturday mornings until approximately 2 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Silver City Sun-News: Dutch Oven gathering, kite fest in Glenwood