ALBUQUERQUE, NM - She’s looking amazing for 304! Come help us celebrate Albuquerque’s birthday on Saturday, April 24 as we honor the founding families in an afternoon of historic settings, live music and dance, an outdoor market and lots of activities for the kids.
The event at the Gazebo on the Plaza begins at 12:30 p.m. with United Native Council Drumming and Dances, followed by Los Colonials de Santa Fe 1800s Spanish Dances and History. At 3:00 p.m. a proclamation by Mayor Richard J. Berry honoring the multi-cultural contributions to Albuquerque’s long history will precede the costume contest and popular parade. . In patios and courtyards throughout Old Town will be special events celebrating the five Eras: Native American, Hispanic, Mexican, Territorial and Statehood. History comes alive with music and presentations from each period, and visitors are encouraged to wear costumes representing their favorite Era.
A costume contest with prizes will take place on the Plaza at 2:00 p.m., and a long tradition will continue with the Founders Day Parade featuring, among others, costumed ancestors of founding families at 3:00 p.m.
In a long-standing tradition, the Plaza’s centerpiece, San Felipe de Neri Church, will be cooking and serving their famous chili cheeseburgers to the crowds—well worth the small price! Stores and restaurants will welcome visitors throughout the day. Proclamations from the Gazebo will honor those who came before us to establish a tiny community that was destined to grow into a large and vibrant city.
The opportunity to engage in learning about our City’s history and enjoy the many and varied entertainers is exceptional and visitors will have an experience not soon forgotten. From the culture of our early inhabitants to the Buffalo Soldiers who rode the New Mexico deserts, from New Mexico women who made a difference, to the exciting era of statehood, New Mexico and Albuquerque history is rich with stories of exceptional and ordinary men and women who came before us.
History will come alive as we celebrate 304 years of life in Albuquerque and those who contributed to our current thriving multi-cultural society. For little children to the elderly—and everyone in between—Albuquerque’s 304th Birthday Party is a "do not miss" occasion.
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On Saturday, April 24 Albuquerque’s 304th birthday will be celebrated at the Founders Day Fiesta. Each year there is a parade of costumed people representing the rich and diverse history of the city, and honoring the ancestors of those original residents.
The parade will begin at 3:00 p.m. following a proclamation by Mayor Richard J. Berry. The City is inviting individuals or groups interested in participating to contact Old Town Manager Isabelle Zamora to apply. Applicants will be accepted based on cultural era ideas and the need to keep the parade to manageable size. No motorized vehicles nor live animals will be allowed due to safety and health concerns.
At 3:00 p.m. a proclamation by Mayor Richard J. Berry honoring the multi-cultural contributions to Albuquerque’s long history will precede the popular parade. . In patios and courtyards throughout Old Town will be special events celebrating the five Eras: Native American, Hispanic, Mexican, Territorial and Statehood. History comes alive with music and presentations from each period, and visitors are encouraged to wear costumes representing their favorite Era.