October 9 at Zuni Pueblo features a Fall Arts Market with traditional dances, along with the annual Human/Horse Relay and the Ansele:mo Run. Also on October 9, at El Malpais Information Center (18 miles east of El Morro National Monument), visitors have the opportunity to see Ramah Navajo Weavers Association members demonstrate the traditional wool processes that go into making a beautiful Navajo weaving; see the rare ancestral Navajo-churro sheep that grow the wool for Ramah Navajo weavings; and purchase quality, one-of-a-kind weavings. The weavers' demonstration will be held in conjunction with the Center's annual open house and book sale.
“Fall is when the pine-covered sandstone mesa country of west central New Mexico is most beautiful - the days are cool and sunny and the flowers are at their peak,” said Michael Cerletti, Secretary of the New Mexico Tourism Department. “The folks along State Road 53, from Grants to Zuni, open their doors for an 80-mile-long party. I cannot think of a more fascinating and fun-filled way to spend a couple of fall weekends.”
Cultures as varied as Navajo, Zuni, Hispanic, Anglo and Mormon create works of world-class reputation. The route itself in the southern link of the state's most recently designated scenic byway, the Trail of the Ancients Byway.
In recognition of this region’s uniqueness, the New Mexico Arts Division (a division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs) has designated the Ancient Way Arts Trail from Gallup to Zuni to Grants as the state's first multi-art trail, with some 30 participating sites representing more than 650 artists. The trail also serves as a portal to the thousands of active artists and dozens of art businesses and trading posts.
For more information about top events in New Mexico take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in New Mexico.
For more information on the Ancient Way Fall Festival visit www.ancientwayartstrail.com