SOCORRO, N.M. – Decades-old traditions will mix with new specialties for the 4th of July Celebration this year.

For the second year, the annual, free, day-long event will be held at the Socorro Rodeo and Sports Complex with activities Socorroans have enjoyed at the New Mexico Tech campus in previous years.

This year’s music includes the famous Al Hurricane Jr. and local favorites playing throughout the day and evening. 

Music has been a big part of the 4th of July Celebration for nearly three decades. And for longer than anyone remembers now, New Mexico Tech’s energetic materials research arm has been the force behind the fireworks display. The celebration of freedom moved from Tech’s athletic field, to outside Macey Center (south and then north sides) before the larger arena was open. 

Tech’s Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center (EMRTC) continues its tradition with this year’s staging near the new location beginning after dark.

The event is free with free and plentiful parking. Food and other vendors will be on hand. If you prefer, make reservations to camp ($30) or tailgate ($15) if you want to bring your own grill. Or bring a lunch and picnic on the green grass of the soccer field.  

The new location opens up a great dance arena with shaded seating and good acoustics for the music. Waterslides and jump balloons will be provided free for kiddos from 1-5 pm. 

The Socorro Fire Department will be running a Cornhole Tournament with signups starting at 9 a.m.; singles first, $25/player; then doubles, $20/player. There will be cash prizes for first and second place in each category.  Contact Humberto Lucero at 575-517-5277 with questions. Come support the SFD and join the Cornhole fun!

The day’s entertainment begins at 11 a.m. with the Socorro Community Band led by Dr. Eileen Comstock. The group will play a mix of patriotic songs, marches, and classic band music.

Then at noon, Wise Fool NM entertains with circus arts including aerial and acrobatics, stilts, unicycle, juggling, and more. This New Mexico non-profit is a pioneer in the emerging North American social circus movement making circus an art form by developing quality productions, professional artists, and expert teachers for circus-based arts curriculum. 

Next up, The Full(ish) Professors, with musical influences ranging from Americana and folk to popular, and even some ‘80s mixed in. In their day jobs at New Mexico Tech, Julie Ford, vocals, is a Professor in the Mechanical Engineering department; Steve Simpson, vocals and guitar, is a Communication Professor and Dean of Arts and Sciences; and Ephraim Ford, bass, is head of NM Engineering at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory. They are joined by various other musicians, including Wes McHaley, fiddle and mandolin, and Paul “Saxypants” Demorest on saxophone. They are guided by Neil Peart's poetic lyric "All this machinery making modern music can still be open hearted." 

At 2:30 p.m., some familiar faces, The Murillos, will take the stage. The Murillos are always happy to perform and always have a willing dance audience. Expect favorites and some newly learned songs from the group which now has CDs to add to its legacy. Varying combinations of the Murillo family have been playing together for years, said Richard Murillo. “Any time anyone needs us, we play. We enjoy playing together as a family.” Other members are brothers George and Patrick with his son Matthew. Lefty Gonzales plays drums with, of course, Tori stealing the show with her voice and enthusiasm.

At 4 p.m., Blue Monday takes over. This popular band was begun by Bobby Olguin at the famous Manny’s Buckhorn in San Antonio, playing every other Monday. Nationally recognized chef Bobby on hot harmonica and percussion will be jamming with Jim Ruff and his solid bass, vocals, and humor.  Gene Cole belts out a smokey “Stormy Monday” and woos the audience with crooning love ballads, but mostly he delivers high energy classic blues and rock tunes. Sax magician Tom Hunt will have everyone up and dancing with his rich full sound and lightning arpeggios. Former Vigilante band member Bill Giebitz adds his acumen on guitar, with Ed Pias on drums.

Then, be prepared to be dazzled with the Et Alia Belly Dance Troupe. Led by Socorroan Julie Johnson, who teaches and choreographs the dances, the Tech-based group performs several styles of this ancient dance form from regions of the Middle East including classical, modern pop, and folkloric. With beautiful outfits and amazing grace and agility, this group was a hit at the recent WomenFest in March and is sure to be this time as well.

At 6 p.m., Al Hurricane Jr. brings his unique style and personality to the event. For many years, he and father, the first Al Hurricane, played at the Far West Club in Albuquerque. Al Jr. actually made his first public appearance at the age of 5 (singing “Love Potion No. 9”); he learned to play trumpet at 8 years old and piano a few years later. When Al, Jr. made his first recordings in the Hurricane Studios in Albuquerque, it was on the very equipment that Buddy Holly used in Clovis, NM. That recording was his original, “El Pinto.” Al, Jr. also was on his father's recordings, supplying trumpet, valve trombone, keyboards, keyboard bass, and has programmed drums. His trumpet and valve trombone were also featured on the recordings of his uncles Tiny Morrie and Baby Gaby.

Then at 8 p.m., enjoy Suavecito performing New Mexico Spanish, country, oldies, funk, R & B, Top 40 and rock. Suavecito plays for people from small, private groups to church fiestas and Route 66 and Sky City Casinos. One of their highest honors was playing for the Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan at the rededication of the Catholic Church in Isleta. The six-piece band consists of two guitar players, bass, keys, and drums. Members of the band include two former members of La Raza Unida, whose songs still air on 89.1 KANW radio station in Albuquerque. Together they possess over a hundred years of musical talent that keeps the dance floors packed. 

And who better to add music during the evening’s fireworks display than Rob Lopez? Known for his hard-driving rock-n-roll sound, Rob Lopez has played around the state. His style has taken him from being the morning band on Buzzard (96.3) radio to the VIP tent at the Pavilion for three years, as well as all around Socorro County. He describes his sound as a mix between Zappa, Hendrix, Zeppelin and ZZ Top with a sprinkling of Pink Floyd and Black Sabbath. 

The 4th of July Celebration is a collaborative event with the City of Socorro, New Mexico Tech and EMRTC, the Betty Clark Memorial Fund, and the Performing Arts Series.

Please keep your personal fireworks and pets at home. Alcohol is not allowed. For RV camping, tailgating, and For-profit and Non-profit vending email:  darmijo@socorronm.gov or call 575-835-8927.

For general information, visit http://nmt.edu/pas; email pas@nmt.edu or call 575-835-5688.