PHOTOS: Dozens of vendors and people turn up for Mariposa Harvest Festival

Mariposa Harvest Festival 2024

Aug 14, 2025

RIO RANCHO — The Mariposa Harvest Festival had several vendors and people in attendance Aug. 24 in Mariposa Park.

Randi Bressler, lifestyle director in Mariposa, says 90 vendors showed up for the fourth year of the event.

She said the main thing is just "bringing the community together.

"Just bringing out the community out to Rio Rancho, bringing vendors from all over the Albuquerque area out here," she said.

There was a heavy focus on the arts this year with the Artists of Mariposa bringing various styles of art to the community center.

Pauline Aryafar, owner of Moody Me Studio, makes jewelry and says it is a "kind of therapy" for her.

"I make mostly polymer clay jewelry, and the patterns are embedded in the jewelry," she explained.

Aryafar had never showcased her jewelry at the event before this year.

"It's really important for the community, and it is with each consecutive year, more and more people have a place to come and just enjoy with their families" she said.

Wendy Ward, Artists of Mariposa director, says they try to keep the type of arts diverse.

"Artists of Mariposa has always participated, and each year we bring more to the party with our group," she said.

There was also live music in the community center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with guitar teacher Miguel Jaramillo playing

Several other vendors, including the Rio Rancho Animal Resource Center, made an appearance as well.

For people curious about their local politics, local representation like state Sen. Craig Brandt and state House of Representatives District 57 candidate Michelle Sandoval, among other politicians, were in attendance.

There were also eight food trucks serving food and refreshments.