Planning for Corrales Harvest Fest underway

CORRALES — Planning for one of Corrales’ longest-running and most popular events is underway.

The Corrales Harvest Festival, which began in 1985 with hayrides during the fall harvest, is set for Sept. 27-28, and some previews of the event are starting to come together.

Over the years, other farms, businesses and restaurants began to participate, enlarging the festival from 800 to more than 10,000 visitors, according to the event’s website.

The village council discussed co-sponsoring the event at a July 8 meeting.

“It is a fundraiser for Kiwanis Club of Corrales Foundation. Each of the last three years, it netted $51,000, regardless of the revenue and expenses,” Tony Messec from the Parks and Recreation Commission said.

He added that all the money is used for funding Kiwanis activities such as Camp Kiwanis, a program that takes a group of kids to a camp south of Gallup. The camp is all-expenses-paid, including food, nursing and activities.

He said they also grant or award more than $30,000 each year to local nonprofits that generally operate in the village.

Messec added that it celebrates the harvest and noted how they try to include that every year.

“This year’s harvest festival is going to have a couple of farm tours. It’ll be very limited, but we’re working on a morning and afternoon tour, Saturday only,” he said.

While a number of the activities are not related to agriculture, Messec said they do try to “honor” the village’s agricultural heritage.

Mayor James Fahey answered some concerns about the Corrales Grower’s Market, which also takes place during the festival. He said they are working on a site plan for a permanent, secured space for the market but that for this year’s festival it would be in its usual place near the Post Office.

Also underway as part of the festival is the Corrales pet mayor race.

Currently, the race has several contestants of varying animal kingdom types. Aside from the usual dogs and cats, the race includes a pig, goat, donkey, turkey and a bunny. Those animals, some with humorous names like “Sweet T” and “Billy,” are vying for the pet mayor seat currently held by Chico Suave the mini horse.

“Chico Suave, your current pet mayor, is asking all area pets to consider running in the prestigious 2025 Pet Mayor election. We are looking for candidates right now! If your llama, hedgehog, goat, dog, horse, etc. has what it takes to be Corrales’ next Pet Mayor, please complete and submit the application,” the website states.

The election started this month and will continue until the start of the annual Pet Parade Sept. 28, the second day of the festival. This year there are 10 candidates, which is four more than last year.

Last year, the parade had a Charlie Brown theme. Hundreds of animals participated with their owners.

Pets do not need to reside in Corrales to enter the race.

Applications can be emailed to PetMayorCorrales@gmail.com or texted to 505-688-2455.

“The Pet Mayor Election is a fun way to raise money and is part of the annual Corrales Harvest Festival. All money raised from the election benefits our outstanding Corrales Animal Services organization here in the village,” the website reads.

The festival will include hayrides, vendors, activities for kids and adults, events with Old San Ysidro Church and more.

For more information, visit corralesharvestfestival.com.