GRANTS, N.M. — What began as a ticketed festival turned into a free, full-throttle community weekend as the Rugged West Concerts took over Fire & Ice Park, Sept. 19– 20, drawing families, dancers, and vendors for two nights of New Mexico music—plus dustkicking SXS and ATV competitions at the rodeo grounds.
Friday’s crowd settled in with lawn chairs and blankets as Nathaniel Krantz opened the park and Darren Cordova closed the night under the stars, with Dynette Marie Saturday stretched from lunch to midnight: Danny Duran set the tempo, Power Drive surged the energy adding to the music of the night, Jeremy Sanchez kept the dance floor packed, and Black Pearl Band NM carried the party past the latenight hour.
“This last weekend was awesome with a great lineup of music,” Sanchez posted, thanking the City of Grants, the Chamber of Commerce, and event staff, and tipping his hat to RJ Gallegos and the sound team. He also shouted out Power Drive for jumping in on a jam.
The Chamber credited sponsors for making the shows free and for fueling a smooth weekend in the park: Grants/Cibola County Chamber of Commerce, City of Grants, Cibola Citizen, Jumpers, McKinley, Handy Andy, Parkhurst Pharmacy, Monica Rose Styles, Homestake, State Farm (Tom Fitzsimmons), Mount Taylor Medical Supply, Farmers Insurance, RE/MAX Elegance, Grants Wellness & Rehabilitation, Corley’s Grants Ford, Hit List Archery, and others.
Meanwhile, at the Grants Rodeo Grounds (Exit 81), the SXS & ATV Rodeo delivered tight turns, fast straights, and shiny hardware for the most consistent competitors. Buckles to average winners were awarded as follows:
SXS — Average Winners Flags
1D: Sam Sedillos • 2D: Chris Muñoz • 4D: Clarence Garcia
Poles
1D: Chris Muñoz • 3D: Carlos Ramirez • 4D: Clarence Garcia
Barrels
1D: Sam Sedillos • 2D: Carlos Ramirez • 4D: Clarence Garcia
Rescue Race
1D: Sam Sedillos • 4D: Chris Muñoz
ATVs — Buckle Winners
Barrels: Justin Ahlheim Flags: Roane Poles: Justin Ahlheim