Portales, NM — The heart of Portales was alive with excitement this past weekend as Heritage Days returned to the Portales City Park, celebrating the rich traditions, vibrant culture, and close-knit community that make this small town so special.
The Heritage Days Fun Run headed up by Jeff Gentry and Betsy Chavez featuring The Portales Womans Club is the opener every year for Heritage Days. Following up the fun run was the parade which made its way from ENMU to the City Park under the direction of parade captain Tom DeWitt.
This year’s event saw record participation, with over 80 vendors lining the park, offering everything from handcrafted goods and boutique clothing to homemade jams and local art. It was a shopper’s paradise, filled with friendly faces and unique finds.
One of the most popular attractions was Food Truck Alley, where 11 food trucks served up a wide variety of delicious eats — from classic barbecue and tacos to chicken wings and craft sodas. The aroma of green chili and barbeque filled the air, making it nearly impossible to leave hungry. And of course, the Catholic Daughters is always a crowd favorite with their Navajo Tacos.
Entertainment was front and center throughout the day, showcasing local talent that brought the stage to life. Several local favorites opened with music from Bobby Roybal, Elizabeth Keith, Colton Stevens and Audra Brown and the String Benders . Then followed by the graceful movements of the Folklórica Spanish dancers, who wowed the crowd with traditional costumes and vibrant choreography. Portales High School Cheerleaders kicked up the festivities with high energy and school spirit,
Saturday morning brought the much-anticipated Heritage Days Car Show, which made its way through Portales to park under the trees at the City Park. This years car show was co-chaired by Casey Jones and Jonathan Baca backed up by First Service Collision. From Vintage cars, trucks to motorcycles this years car show was one for the books! The “car-talk” flowed all afternoon under the trees in the City Park.
Heritage Days continues to be a beloved tradition in Portales, offering something for everyone — whether it’s enjoying local flavors, celebrating cultural traditions, or simply spending time with neighbors in the sun-filled park. The event is a powerful reminder of the value of community and the joy that comes from celebrating where we come from.
If you missed this year’s Heritage Days, be sure to mark your calendar for next year — because in Portales, heritage isn’t just remembered, it’s lived and loved.
