Socorro to host a star-spangled 4th of July celebration

Fireworks in the sky and dynamic music on stage will light up the city as Socorro prepares to throw its annual 4th of July Celebration on Friday. The beloved event will take place at the Socorro Rodeo & Sports Complex, offering free admission and parking for a full day of fun, food, and festivities.

Dana Chavez, director of the New Mexico Tech Performing Arts Series, said this year’s event will have some new faces on stage, as well as our hometown favorites and she encourages Socorro-area residents to come out and celebrate the holiday with us.

“Don’t forget to bring your own chairs, blankets, tarps, sunscreen, dancing shoes, good cheer and great mood,” Chavez said.

The celebration kicks off bright and early with registration for the Socorro Fire Department’s Cornhole Tournament at 9 a.m., followed by the first bags tossed at 10 a.m. The entry fee is $25 per person or $50 per team, with half the proceeds going to local families affected by fire loss.

Live music begins at 11:00 a.m., starting with the Socorro Community Band under the direction of Dr. Eileen Comstock. Performances will run all day, featuring a mix of hometown talent and New Mexico favorites:

12:15 p.m. – Western singer Doug Figgs, delivering smooth vocals and classic cowboy charm.

1:30 p.m. – Zia Soul with Theresa Jaramillo Sanchez brings a genre-spanning variety show.

3 p.m. – Crowd-pleasers The Pacemakers deliver danceable country tunes and more.

4:30 p.m. – The Et Alia Belly Dancers, led by Julie Johnson, showcase Middle Eastern dance styles with flair and elegance.

5:45 p.m. – Headlining the evening is Peter Vigil and the All Stars, known for their unique sound and chart-topping hits like “Recuerdos” and “Tita.”

7:45 p.m. – Local legends Suavecito wrap up the performances with their signature Tejano, cumbia, and Spanish rock blend.

At 9:15 p.m., the night sky will explode in color with a spectacular fireworks show presented by New Mexico Tech’s Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center (EMRTC), synced to the electrifying guitar stylings of Rob Lopez.

Beyond the music, the celebration offers plenty to do for the whole family. Water slides will cool things off between 1 and 6 p.m., kids can enjoy bouncy houses and the Imagination Playground, and food and drink vendors will serve up local eats throughout the day. The Civil Air Patrol will also bring in a high-tech flight simulator, and community members can join the cornhole tournament fundraiser on the arena floor.

Event guidelines: Bring your own chairs, blankets, tarps, sunscreen, dancing shoes, and good cheer—but please leave fireworks, alcohol, glass containers, pets, and ATVs at home. Tent stakes and grilling are not permitted on the grass or soccer fields, but guests are welcome to tailgate and use grills in the dirt parking lots surrounding the complex.

Free parking is available on-site at 1 Rodeo Drive and hourly shuttles to and from the Socorro Plaza will be running throughout the day, courtesy of the Socorro Transportation Department.

For those who wish to stay the night, RV camping is available with reservations for $30. Vendor opportunities are still open—for-profit vendors ($100) and nonprofits ($50) can email ccortez@socorronm.gov for more details.

Presented in partnership by the City of Socorro, EMRTC, and the New Mexico Tech Performing Arts Series, this event is more than a celebration, it’s a vibrant tribute to community, culture, and country.