Family friendly is the way to go. That’s the lesson the Town of Bernalillo learned last year from replacing the adult-oriented Brew Fest of the past with the all-ages Mountain West Fall Fest, which returns for its second edition Saturday at Loretto Park, 237 S. Camino Del Pueblo.
Christina Jones, the town’s economic & community development director, told The Paper. she felt last year’s event was successful because it appealed to families, meaning a larger cross-section of the community could find something to enjoy. Organizers are leaning into family friendliness this year, Jones said, by coordinating with Sandoval County (for a joint celebration of the Route 66 centennial) and offering free admission. The county’s Employee Appreciation Committee is hosting a car show at the adjacent Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fall Fest is from 1 to 8 p.m.
Jones said there will still be beer, but rather than tastings from several providers, the event will feature Kaktus Brewing Co. as the liquor vendor. Fall fest will have musical performances by Bernalillo’s own Brandon Saiz and Michael Rascón, who take the stage at 4 and 6 p.m., respectively. The performances begin with a Ballet Folklorico dance by local middle- and high-schoolers. Mayor Jack Torres called Saiz’s success (he’ll be playing the main stage at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta the next day) a source of community pride and said he is pleased that the Fall Fest is now a free event…