CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. – This is the sixth year Roger and Evelyn Siegmann have organized their “All Fools’ Day Car Cruise,” held the first weekend of April each year. This event brings Fools and cars together after a long winter to enjoy each other’s company and enjoy their ride. Together they have cruised to the Bibo Bar for famous green chili cheeseburgers, cruised to San Mateo for pictures with the Mt. Taylor Mine headframe in the background, and in 2020 shared an imaginary cruise from the backyard due to COVID-19.
This year’s cruise was in honor of Cibola’s 40 years, being established June 19, 1981. The Grants MainStreet organization was looking for an event to honor our county’s 40 years and Roger and Evelyn grabbed the idea and incorporated it into their annual cruise.
The event was kicked off April 2, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. from the Cibola County Complex by Cibola County Manager Kate Fletcher, followed by an overview of our county’s status by Cibola County Commissioner Robert Windhorst, with Commissioners Ralph Lucero and Christine Lowery also spiriting the event.
A group picture was taken with all in atten dance posing by the bison replica brought from inside the complex. Enthusiasts could then have an individual picture with their car and the bison if wanted. Goodie bags containing information from local businesses, along with small gifts from various vendors were given to participants, as well as a score sheet and a foam dice. Each face had one letter on it, ultimately spelling C.I.B.O.L.A, and each face was to be rolled at each stop and the first participant to achieve CIBOLA would win a prize. A poker card game would be played also, with one card to be drawn at each stop and the winner would be determined at the last stop. Also included was a commorative sticker depicting a cartoon jester hanging out the driver’s side of an old truck along with a cartoon bison out the passenger side with a cake in the truck’s bed showing “40th birthday,” complements of Distinked Ink.
On to SoloWorks Cibola, an economic development agency located at 210 E Santa Fe Avenue, for a dice roll, card draw, and light refreshments. Then to the County Line, about eight miles west of Milan on Old 66 for pictures there and another roll and draw. Grants MainStreet members helped enthusiasts toss, write, and pose for pictures. On the road again back to Grants to the Ci bola Arts Double 6 Gallery for a tour & handouts, another roll and toss; then to Cibola Historical Society Museum for the finale. Light snacks were available and Mary Savacheck, Historical Society President, gave a historical overview of the need for and creation of our county some 40 years ago.
Back to business, the poker hand was won by two pairs and the winner was awarded a can cooler. Then, the toss and in order one by one… no one was buffaloed as each participant tossed in hopes of winning the coveted cruise prize. Then it happened! In front of all to witness, Cibola County Sheriff Tony Mace com pleted the CIBOLA toss having obtained all the letters. To his surprise, he was given the coveted cruise grand prize of a Mardi Gras style jester’s hat. Slowly he removed his always present western cowboy hat and tried on the hat of jest! It fit and perhaps in more ways than one. All applauded and laughed, including him. The Sixth Annual All Fools’ Day Car Cruise ended as the 20-plus participants were given parting gifts of a customized Cibola County license plate and a small pin with the Cibola County bison emblem and birthday date on it. Everyone then left to enjoy the remainder of the beautiful, warm spring day in our Cibola County.