Bernalillo celebrates Fouth of July with flavor

BERNALILLO — The town of Bernalillo held a cookout at Rotary Park to celebrate the Fourth of July.

“We’re just happy to be able to do this for the folks here, and celebrate the Fourth of July,” Bernalillo Mayor Jack Torres said. “I’ve got to tip my hat to my staff and Christina Jones, our community development director. But it was a full-team effort. We got the recreation director here, the administrator, the HR director all pitching in. So many staff people from public works and the water department.”

Festivities included a cookout, water games and a foam party courtesy of Sandia Foam Parties. All events — and food — were free of charge.

“The bubbles are pretty fun, but you don’t want to swallow it,” Jayden Casaus said, who playfully tackled his friend in the foam pit.

However, Casaus wasn’t the only one playing in the foam. Spotted amongst the foam was District 9 Sen. Cindy Nava and Torres.

“Senator Cindy Nava was just here and challenged me to go in with her. It was pretty fun,” Torres said.

Another fun sight was seeing the Bernalillo Fire Department create a water cascade using their 33-inch ladder engine; kids — and some adults — played in the cool water.

“We got the firetruck, we got the foam, we got ‘Slip N’ Slides’ for the kids ... everybody’s having a good time here,” Bernalillo resident Victor Archibeque said. “We appreciate everything they do for the town.”

Town officials used the event as an opportunity to collect items for the school drive and for the winter coat drive. Both donation drives benefit the children of Bernalillo.

“The day has been beautiful; it’s a wonderful event,” Bernalillo Community Museum Director Ashley Flores said.

Flores and her team were at the event supporting Bernalillo and promoting their “Plants of the Bosque” exhibit, which is currently viewable at their home location.

“We work with community members to highlight Bernalillo’s histories and traditions,” Flores said.

For more photos from the Bernalillo Independendence Day celelbration, visit rrobserver.com