There is plenty to enjoy at the New Mexico State Fair—except for dealing with the traffic to get there.
Some fairgoers waited hours before getting into the gates to experience concerts, livestock shows and food; a recent KOAT report said. State fair officials offered a few tips to avoid long traffic lines.
"You don't always have to use just Louisiana and I-40, you also can use San Mateo, get off on San Mateo, come to Lomas Blvd and take Lomas Blvd up to Louisiana to get in the gate as well,” Dan Mourning, general manager of the New Mexico State Fair, told KOAT. “Now, if you are stuck in traffic on Louisiana, you can also get out of that line and get into gate 8, go to Central avenue, turn right and go into gate 1 where there's plenty of parking. Remember, there are right turns only to get into the fair.”
Hannah Thiene, an avid fairgoer, said her family was stuck in traffic, but attending the state fair was worth the wait.
"We waited like two hours in traffic, but it's good spending time with the family," Thiene told KOAT. "My parents usually take me. We usually have a great time. You know, in previous years, it’s fun — you see the animals. I remember one year I got to ride a pony, that was kind of cool — there's sea lions, there's a lot of magic tricks, that goes on which I think is really cool, their talents and trying to show off — maybe earn a little side cash, but other than that it's pretty cool. The food is good."
Mourning noted that the state fair has attracted huge crowds during its opening days.
“I’ve been doing this almost 13 years and I’ve never seen people more excited to come to the New Mexico State Fair,” he said. “It’s just getting better and better and we’re just getting started.”
Mourning suggested that anyone planning to attend the state fair should arrive as early as possible to avoid traffic.
“We always tell people, plan your trip and if you have concert tickets and you’re going to a concert or rodeo event, leave early,” he said. “Why is it important to leave early? Because there’s so much fun to do before. Come on out and enjoy the fair and then go to the rodeo concert, but try getting here as early as possible.”
Fairgoers can also take advantage of Ride Share and Bike Valet. The City of Albuquerque is also offering free rides to the fair on the ART bus. Fairgoers are instructed to park at the Central & Unser or Uptown Transit Center and ride the ART Bus for free to the fair.
