DEMING – One of Luna County’s biggest annual traditions is getting ready to return, and this year the Southwestern New Mexico State Fair will put one of the region’s most important agricultural products in the spotlight — New Mexico chile.
The Southwestern New Mexico State Fair will host a Chile Competition featuring Luna County growers on Friday, October 9, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Southwestern New Mexico State Fairgrounds, 4100 Raymond Reed Boulevard in Deming.
The event will feature separate tasting and chile roasting competitions, giving local growers and participants an opportunity to compete for Grand and Reserve Champion honors.
For the tasting competition, growers will provide their own chile to be roasted. A three-judge panel will score entries based on the taste of the roasted chile, with buckles awarded to the Grand and Reserve Champions.
A separate roasting competition will put the skills of chile roasters to the test. Participants will be judged by a three-person panel based on the quality of their roast. Buckles will also be presented to the Grand and Reserve Champions in the roasting competition.
The competition is sponsored by the New Mexico Chile Association.
Chile has long been an important part of the agricultural identity of Luna County and southern New Mexico, making the competition a natural addition to a fair that celebrates the region’s farmers, ranchers, livestock exhibitors and agricultural heritage.
The chile competition will be one of numerous activities taking place as the Southwestern New Mexico State Fair celebrates its 80th year of bringing families from Deming, Luna County and surrounding communities together.
Those interested in competing in the chile competition may contact Kari Dominguez at 575-494-2993 or by email at ednmca@gmail.com.
The Chile Competition will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday, October 9, at the Southwestern New Mexico State Fairgrounds, 4100 Raymond Reed Boulevard in Deming.
John Krehbiel – Bravo Mic Communications News – John@bravomic.com
