There was a record turnout at the Southern New Mexico Wine Festival held at the Southern New Mexico Fairgrounds just west of Las Cruces this Memorial Day weekend. And after watching the lines move like molasses it would seem that the festival was not prepared for the turnout.

With over 7,000 guests... adults... on Sunday when we were there, nearly 3 time what the crowd was like on Monday; the lines indicated that the number of staff on hand pouring the wine was insufficient.

When asked why people were standing in such long lines that rarely move, the answer was always "Free wine!". And so with the promise of a glass of wine within the hour many of the guests tried to laugh about the wait.

This wine festival allows for free wine tasting as part of the admission price. And so for many, the festival was about waiting in one line and then going to another winery and drinking their wine there... in line for the wine that would be theirs in about an hour.

The entertainment was of a country fair style under a big tent. The heat was not too bad but the sun was beating down and there are few large trees for shade.

There were plenty of booths with crafts and food and snacks. One, that was especially popular with about 30 people waiting in line was the snow cones.

Out of the 30 commercial wineries in New Mexico; 12 were represented at this festival, including several from the Alamgordo and Tularosa region.

  People were generally in a good mood and making the most of the lines and enjoying the thought that the next day, being Monday, was a holiday and they wouldn't have to go to work.

Prepared by UVB staff.

(Photos: Brax - Valley Publishing Company)

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