Magdalena gears up for Frontier Fest and Burro Stampede

The spirit of the old west is alive and well in Magdalena as the town prepares for its annual Frontier Festival and the much-anticipated inaugural Magdalena Burro Stampede, set to take place the weekend of June 28-29.

Jim Sauer, a frontier fest volunteer said he was excited about the new additions to Frontier Festival this year.

“Every year we try to make this thing a little bigger all the way across the board,” Sauer said.

The festivities will kick off Saturday at 9 a.m. on Highway 60 with the opening parade. This year, he said, the gunfighters are going to lead the parade and “shoot up the town” like they used to do back in the old days. The family fun will continue all day with live music at the library, as well as frontier skills demonstrations like quilting, wool dyeing and blacksmithing. A petting zoo with frontier animals, a kids rodeo with stick horse racing, Zuni Native American dancers and a trick horse show featuring gunfighter reenactments will also happen on Saturday.

Sauer said there will also be an opportunity to take an old-timey style photo at Tumbleweeds Diner and for those who want to lean into the educational experience, there will be talks from NM Tech leaders on water, geology, and minerals, as well as several exhibits throughout the event.

Volunteers are working to put visitors back in the frontier days, Sauer said, “We think it’s going to be a good time for people to come up and just spend the day running around hearing stories, looking at pictures, looking at antique firearms, people walking around as old timey preachers move through town.”

Saturday evening, visitors and locals have a unique opportunity to be part of an independent film. From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Magdalena Rodeo Grounds, a film crew will be shooting a scene for a new movie. The Ross Bros, film company encourages volunteers to dress in Fourth of July-themed attire to help bring the scene to life.

The production will feature a creative “train” illusion using a flatbed trailer, silhouette cutouts and a smoke machine, proof that sometimes, movie magic is all about trusting the process.

On Sunday morning, the village is expected to come alive with the Magdalena Burro Stampede, a quirky and beloved race that blends athleticism, history and a whole lot of donkey charm. The race begins at 9 a.m. on Main Street.

Shane Wiegand, burro race organizer said that so far, 52 teams have registered from across New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado. He said spectators can expect a thrilling start as more than fifty donkeys and their handlers charge down the street, Wiegand stressed that it is not a race you want to miss, “The start line is amazing. It’s like the most kinetic, amazing thing you’ve ever seen.”

Racers will continue to cross the finish line over the next two hours. Even if you miss the start, don’t worry, donkeys will be in town until noon, said Wiegand.

He said the race pays homage to a legendary tale of two miners racing to stake their gold claim, and it’s part of a broader tradition dating back to the 1950s. Custom buckles made in New Mexico will be awarded for top finishers in both the 3-mile and 9-mile courses, as well as for categories like “Biggest Heart” (sportsmanship) and “Last Ass” (the final finisher). Cash prizes are still to be announced.

During the Frontier Festival weekend vendors will line the streets offering food, crafts, and frontier-themed goods, while local historian Richard Torres will open his shop to share stories of Magdalena’s past, including tales of sheep-covered hills that once looked like snow and brushes with infamous outlaws.

Organizers, including the Magdalena Chamber of Commerce, hope the festival will not only entertain but also inspire a new generation to get involved in preserving the town’s history and community spirit. As Sauer, put it, “We’re all old folks running this thing—we need the next generation to step up.”

Saturday, June 28, 2025

9 a.m. – Highway

• Opening Parade

10:45 a.m. – Rodeo Grounds

• Opening Events, National Anthem

11 a.m. – Rodeo Grounds & Around Town

• Vendor Markets Open

• Artists Open to Sell

• Food Trucks Open to Public

11 a.m. – Ilfeld Building

• Artist Markets Open

• Model Train Exhibit

• Kids Old Time Photo Booth

• FFA/4H Petting Zoo

11 a.m. – Library

• Antique Firearms Display & Talk

• Gun Fighters

• Blacksmith Demonstration

11 a.m. – Tumbleweeds Diner (West End of Town)

• Old Timey Photos by Taos Tin Type

11:45 a.m. – Rodeo Grounds

• Trick Ponies in Arena

• Gun Fighters Skit

3 p.m. – Rodeo Grounds

• Zuni Indian Dancers Performance

4 p.m. – Rodeo Grounds

• Live Musical Performances at the Grandstands

• Plus Movie Filming!

5 p.m. – Rodeo Grounds

• Zuni Indian Dancers Performance

6 p.m. – End of Day Festivities

• Frontier Days Events Conclude

• Street Dance After Party & More Live Music

Sunday, June 29, 2025

9 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Location: Magdalena Rodeo Grounds

“Magdalena Burro Stampede” Donkey Race