The annual Great American Duck Race in Deming - offering a family fun-fest featuring fast duck race competitions, Duck Dances, a softball tournament, a carnival, hot air balloons, barbecues, parades, craft vendors and nonstop entertainment - is August 24-26, 2012.
For the RVers, there are several RV parks to choose from.
Hidden Valley Ranch RV Park
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Nestled in the high New Mexican desert, surrounded by the foothills of the Cooke's Mountain Range, Hidden Valley Ranch is rated very highly by reviewers. The resort is but a small portion on the 7,000 acres of open range framed by endless skies, a setting that makes it truly one of the hidden treasures of the southwest. |
Here you can find quiet solitude, desert beauty and diverse wildlife. There are no trains rumbling in the night, no trucks engaging jake brakes as they exit off the highway, just the occasional howl of a coyote or the whistle of the wind past your windows. |
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Another nice place to stay is the
Rock Hound State Park
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The main park includes a 30-site campground, hiking trails and a visitor center on the west slopes of the Little Florida Mountains. The Spring Canyon Recreation Area is a day-use area located across the valley in the foothills of the Florida Mountains and includes picnic sites and hiking trails. |
Scattered throughout the park are rock and mineral specimens of volcanic origin. These treasures range from varieties of jasper, silica minerals, quartz crystals, chalcedony, Agate, and common opal.
Visitors are allowed to take up to 15 pounds of the rock for their personal collections.
The famous New Mexico sunsets can be spellbinding from the southwest-facing campground, especially from the higher elevation sites. Juniper, mesquite, and other low bushes and trees produce little shade, but sites are spacious. A botanical garden contains numerous species of cacti and other desert plants that are identified with signs.
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Here's the schedule for events at the Duck Race: |
Most Duck Race activities take place at or near McKinley Duck Downs (the Luna County Courthouse Park) unless otherwise noted:
August 24: Carnival begins, 4 p.m., and musical entertainment, 4-8 p.m.
August 25: Carnival, Duck Mart/Vendors, and slow-pitch softball tournament (Hooten Complex), all day
Elks Kickoff Breakfast ($5 per plate), 7-10 a.m.
Solitare Homes Hot Air Balloon Mass Ascension (Deming Soccer Field), 7 a.m.
Comcast Tournament of Ducks Parade, 10 a.m.
Great American Horseshoe Tournament, 10 a.m.
1st United Methodist Church Barbecue, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
entertainment, noon-8 p.m.
Live Duck Race/Water Race ($5 entry), noon-4 p.m.
opening ceremonies, noon
Chamber of Commerce Great American Tortilla Toss, 2 p.m.
Great American Duck Race Challenge, 3 p.m. Great American Outhouse Race, 5:30 p.m.
and Evening Duck Race/Water Race ($5 entry), 5:30-7 p.m.
August 26: Carnival, Duck Mart/Vendors, and slow-pitch softball tournament (Hooten Complex), all day
Solitare Homes Hot Air Balloon Mass Ascension (Deming Soccer Field), 7 a.m.
Great American Washers Tournament, 10 a.m.
entertainment, noon-6 p.m.
Live Duck Race/Water Race ($5 entry), noon
and Duck Race eliminations/finals, 3 p.m.
If you're traveling through southern New Mexico in August, you will have a great time at the Duck Race!
Looking to start a new life with an RV? Then be sure to come into Rocky Mountain RV and Marine for expert assistance in finding the right RV for your lifestyle. We are "Simply the Best" RV and boat dealer in New Mexico!