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The Event
Get ready for an in-person 4th of July Celebration at its new home, the Socorro Rodeo & Sports Complex, with old and new features.  Expect great music from headliner Al Hurricane, Jr., and some of Socorro's favorite local bands (11-9pm) with a Noon Circus performance by Wise Fool, waterslide & jump balloon (1-5pm), plus plenty room for dancing to the music, food and other vendors, and of course, a fantastic fireworks display from NM Tech's EMRTC at Dark.

Reservations are required for RV Camping ($30), tailgate and dry camping ($15) if you want to bring your own grill, and for-profit ($50) and non-profit ($25) vendors.  Tailgate means you want to BBQ some food and that requires a reservation and a tailgate space.

There is LOTS for FREE, which does NOT require a reservation, including public parking, entry to the Rodeo Arena with live bands and space to dance, picnic area on the soccer fields where you can pitch a tent or shade structure, waterslide and jump balloon, and of course, the spectacular Fireworks!  Don't forget to bring your own chairs, blankets, tarps, sunscreen, dancing shoes, good cheer and great mood, ready to celebrate our great country and amazing community! 

NOT ALLOWED:  Alcohol - Fireworks - Grills in Arena or Soccer Fields - Pets - Glass - ATVs  

The Performers
Rob Lopez (during Fireworks) Known for his hard-driving rock-n-roll sound, Rob Lopez has played around the state. Rob has been playing guitar since he was a kid but didn’t play in public for 26 years. “I didn’t want to sound just like everyone else. I wanted to be different.”  Viva la difference because that sound 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. Lopez said he plays for fun, not for profit, but he added, “the music I play has a lot to do with my job.  “I lived out my childhood dream,” he said, being a heavy equipment operator. “I love my town; I would never leave. And playing my guitar for the 4th of July has been my dream since I was 11 years old, can't wait!!!!"

Suavecito (8:00pm) is a variety six-piece band from Socorro, performing New Mexico Spanish, country, oldies, funk, R & B, Top 40 and rock. They typically are the final band performing for Socorro’s annual Fourth of July Celebration along with well-known performers such as Darren Cordova, Al Hurricane & Al Hurricane Jr., and El Gringo, and tour throughout New Mexico. But this year, they will close the 4th of July Celebration for the first time at the Socorro's Rodeo & Sports Complex; they are excited about this!  Suavecito performs for weddings, retirement parties, Christmas parties, graduations, church fiestas, local events for the City of Albuquerque and Matanzas. Suavecito performs at the Route 66 Casino in Albuquerque and the Sky City Casino in Acoma. One of their highest honors was playing for the Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan at the re-dedication 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. Suavecito has a CD titled “Que Padre” and are working on another recording. They have sold over a thousand copies and have had great feedback.
Al Hurricane, Jr. (6:00pm) Al Hurricane Jr. is an American singer-songwriter. He is known as "The Godfather’s Son" and "The Godson" of New Mexico music, a nickname which was inherited from his father Al Hurricane, who is considered "The Godfather" of New Mexico music. He has long been his father's protégé; he has created numerous solo albums, and has contributed songs such as "Flor De Las Flores" to New Mexico's unique style of Spanish music.

Aditi Natesa (5:15pm) is the SGA Belly Dance Club at NM Tech.  Their advisor is Julie Johnson, who teaches and choreographs all the dances; club president is Marina Hein.  Belly dance is a folk dance, the world's oldest dance form.  The group will perform several styles from regions of the middle east including classical, modern pop and folkloric.

Blue Monday (4:00pm) originated as the house band for Manny’s Buckhorn in San Antonio in 2007 with Hot Chef Bobby Olguin, playing hot harmonica and percussion, and reigning over an evolving group of musicians. As member Jim Ruff puts it: “Starting at the Buckhorn Tavern in San Antonio with Hounddog Tom Romancik, they played every other Monday, hence the name (Blue Monday). Hounddog left town hot on the trail of an enticing scent and was eventually replaced….”  Since then the band has expanded and contracted with new configurations and guest artists. Currently, Blue Monday is Bobby Olguin; Jim Ruff with his ever-present, ever-solid bass, vocals and humor. Gene Cole can belt out a smokey “Stormy Monday” and woo the audience with a crooning love ballad; and 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 drummer Pierce Mayadag rounding out the sound.

The Murillos (2:30pm) are a perennial favorite local band, playing on numerous occasions around Socorro County. Having performed two concerts, without an audience, for NMT PAS during the pandemic, then a parking lot concert on Primero de Mayo, they are now excited to be performing for the 4th of July Celebration in its first incarnation at the Socorro Rodeo & Sports Complex!  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.  The group brings out a good crowd, always ready to dance to their music, a wide variety of Spanish favorites, classic rock, country and new sounds. Tori said she is looking forward to singing one of her newest learned songs “Drinking Alone,” by Carrie Underwood. “It’s kind of a bluesy country song,” she said, adding, “I’m a huge fan” of Underwood’s.

Fullish Professors (2:15pm) Julie Ford, vocalist, is guided by Neil Peart's poetic lyric "All this machinery making modern music can still be open hearted." Singing with friends and loved ones brings her profound joy. In her day job she as a Professor in the Mechanical Engineering department at NMT. Julie is joined by her Full(ish) Professor bandmates: Steve Simpson on guitar and vocals, Wes McHaley on mandolin and fiddle, and Ephraim Ford on bass.

Wise Fool Circus (1:00pm) Combining daring physical dexterity with visual splendor. Disarming audiences in this way opens the door for new ideas, releases preconceptions, and ultimately imbues audiences with a sense that anything is possible.  It is Wise Fool New Mexico's mission to ignite imagination, build community, and promote social justice through performances and hands-on experiences in the arts of circus, puppetry, and theatre.

Socorro Community Band (11:00am) a group of local musicians brought together by Dr. Eileen Comstock, play each year for the 4th of July Celebration and for Oktoberfest at the Hammel Museum.  You will get to hear a mix of patriotic songs, marches and classic band music with members from elementary school to senior citizens.

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