The Covid-19 Pandemic created a challenging and discouraging year for millions of individuals. However, despite the difficulties, there is one celebration in New Mexico that is returning bigger and spicier than ever in 2021 — the Hatch Chile Festival. This festival in New Mexico first began in the 1970s as a way to celebrate the chile harvest. Decades later, it is a famous festival that attracts more than 30,000 people from around the globe.
The Hatch Chile Festival takes place in — you guessed it — the beautiful village of Hatch. This small town in New Mexico is known as the Chile Capital of the World.
Jim Legans, Jr/Flickr
This year, the Hatch Chile Festival will look a little different than in years past. The majority of the festivities will be held right in the small town of Hatch.
Simon Foot/Flickr Being located directly in the village allows the community to more easily come together to assist with the festival. It also makes it easy for all attendees to visit the shops, restaurants, and other attractions that make the small village of Hatch so great.
The list of attractions at the Hatch Chile Festival this year is long and extensive.
Hatch Chile Festival Official Website
Make sure you mark your calendars for the Hatch Chile Festival Parade.
Hatch Chile Festival Official Website This parade will take place Saturday, September 4, 2021, at 9 a.m. The theme of the parade is “The Caliente Comeback” and awards will be given to parade participants in various categories.
You will also find vendors selling all types of goods, from food to crafts, during this festival in New Mexico. Young children will also want to spend the day at the carnival.
Hatch Chile Festival Official Website
To keep the festival lively, energetic, and fun, there will be entertainment scheduled throughout the day. Bring your best dancing shoes because you can guarantee there will be some incredible live music.
Hatch Chile Festival Official Website
Ballet Folklorico Corazon De Las Cruces will also be performing at the festival. They will have performances at various locations in the village.
Ballet Folklorico Corazon de Las Cruces/Facebook
Of course, the Hatch Chile Festival in New Mexico is not complete without a little competition.
Hatch Chile Festival Official Website Multiple competitions will be held throughout the festival including chile eating contests and a chile toss. There will also be contests for the best chile recipe, chile ristra, and grown chiles.
The Hatch Chile Festival will take place from September 4, 2021, to September 5, 2021.
Jim Legans, Jr/Flickr
Simon Foot/Flickr
Being located directly in the village allows the community to more easily come together to assist with the festival. It also makes it easy for all attendees to visit the shops, restaurants, and other attractions that make the small village of Hatch so great.
Hatch Chile Festival Official Website
This parade will take place Saturday, September 4, 2021, at 9 a.m. The theme of the parade is “The Caliente Comeback” and awards will be given to parade participants in various categories.
Ballet Folklorico Corazon de Las Cruces/Facebook
Multiple competitions will be held throughout the festival including chile eating contests and a chile toss. There will also be contests for the best chile recipe, chile ristra, and grown chiles.
To learn more about the Hatch Chile Festival, events, entertainment schedules, and more, click here.
Have you ever attended the Hatch Chile Festival? If so, what was your favorite part of this festival in New Mexico? Tell us all about it in the comments.
Did you know Hatch was named by Smithsonian Magazine as one of the best small towns to visit this year? It’s true! Check it out here.
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Address: Hatch, NM, USA