2023 New Mexico State Fair wraps up

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M  – Thousands of New Mexicans walked through the gates at Expo New Mexico to enjoy the last day of the state fair. 

“We are going to do snacks. We’re going to look at exhibits in the Indian Village and watch the performers,” said Rachel Wolfe, a state fair visitor. 

Wolfe and her family come to the fair every year. She says the cooler weather this time around has definitely been a perk. 

But, some vendors say it definitely rained on their parade or midway.

“It’s been as good as last year, but that’s OK,” said Ignacio Otero, a state fair vendor. “We had a lot of rain, a lot of bad weather that affects the business.”

But the weather cooperated for the final day of the fair Sunday. 

Ricardo Rodrigues and his wife brought their grandson to his very first state fair. He says it’s been a few years since they’ve walked the midway. 

“It feels good to be back, it’s changed a lot that’s pretty nice security, so it’s not bad,” said Ricardo Rodrigues. 

Law enforcement isn’t just keeping an eye on the fairgrounds. During the fair, Albuquerque police held a proactive operation in the area. 

Officers arrested 11 people – some on felony warrants – and cleared nearly a dozen homeless camps. For example, one camp by the old CVS at Central and Louisiana. 

KOB 4 didn’t see anyone living there Sunday, but there was a lot of trash. 

However, it was a different story along a side street near Central and Wyoming. APD says officers arrested two people in a camp on warrants. 

Police say at least two people enrolled in the city’s Low Level Drug Use Program. 

On the actual fairground, state police were on-site to help with safety as well.