Rugged West Adventures Friday, Aug. 7, through Sunday, Aug. 9
GRANTS, N.M. - The fifth annual Rugged West Side-by-Side Adventure Rally will bring three days of motorsports, live music, children’s activities, competitions, food, shopping and community fundraising to Grants.
Unless otherwise noted, activities will take place at Fire and Ice Park, 14101 E. Roosevelt Ave.
Some competition times and registration details may change. Participants should verify schedules with event organizers before arriving.
Noon — Vendor setup
Vendors may begin preparing their booths at Fire and Ice Park.
4:30 to 5:30 p.m. — Participant registration
Registration opens for rally activities.
5 p.m. — Business Card Quest begins
Participants will travel to participating businesses, collect playing cards and attempt to build the best seven-card poker hand.
7:30 p.m. — Show and Shine and concert gates open
Side-by-sides will be displayed before the evening concert.
8 p.m. to midnight — Black Pearl concert
Black Pearl will headline Friday night’s entertainment.
The concert is restricted to guests age 21 and older.
Saturday, Aug. 8
7 a.m. — Vendor setup 7 or 8 a.m. — Kids Zone opens
Promotional materials list both times. Families should confirm the opening time before arriving.
8 a.m. — Registration Registration opens for Saturday’s activities.
8:30 a.m. — Free community pancake breakfast
Trusting Healthcare Solutions will provide breakfast for the first 500 people.
The breakfast will recognize police officers, first responders, military personnel and uranium and coal miners. Families and children are welcome.
9 a.m. — Show and Shine 9:15 a.m. — Two-Step Challenge 9:30 a.m. — Sound Wars 9:45 a.m. — Best Wrap Contest
Organizers’ materials appear to describe this as a vehicle-wrap competition. The event name should be confirmed before publication.
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Youth archery tournament and Poach Coach
Children can participate in supervised archery activities, learn about wildlife conservation and visit the Poach Coach.
Equipment will be provided, and all skill levels are welcome.
Families are encouraged to bring:
• Drinking water
• Sunscreen
• Lawn chairs
• A shade canopy
• Snacks and a cooler
• Towels and extra clothes
• Water shoes, if participating in wet activities
11:30 a.m. — J5 Martial Arts demonstration Noon — Side-by-side rodeo entries
Entries open at the Grants Rodeo Grounds. Rodeo events will follow.
Saturday’s scheduled competitions include:
• Barrel racing
• Pole bending
• Flag race
• Rescue race
• Drag racing Admission is $10 at the gate, with children age 6 and younger admitted free.
Custom Rugged West champion buckles will be presented to the two-day average winners.
1 p.m. — Battle of the Bands
Local bands will compete in a live music showcase. Registration is $100 per band, with each group receiving a one-hour set.
5:30 p.m. — Business Card Quest registration
Registration to be handled at Fire and Ice Park.
Rugged adventurers will visit participating businesses, draw one card at each stop and build their best seven-card poker hand. The top hand will receive prizes, trophies and giveaways.
Listed participating locations include:
• Handy Andy
• Grants Rodeo Grounds
• American Legion Post 60 in Milan
• Ortega’s Propane
• Quarterly Forward
• Pizza 9
• Junkyard Brewery 6 to 8 p.m. — Foam Party
Children of all ages are invited to cool off in a large outdoor foam party. Swimwear and towels are recommended.
8 p.m. — Light Wars 8:15 p.m. — Second Two-Step Challenge 8:30 p.m. — Engine and Sound Wars
Concert gates open at 8 p.m.
8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. — Animated Jukebox concert
Animated Jukebox will headline Saturday night’s entertainment.
The concert is restricted to guests age 21 and older.
Sunday, Aug. 9
7:30 a.m. — Registration 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Mud volleyball tournament
The adult mud volleyball tournament will take place at the Grants Rodeo Grounds.
Players must be at least 18 years old. Registration costs $150 per team.
The tournament, promoted under the theme “Getting Dirty for a Cause,” will benefit local children in Cibola County who are living with terminal or life-limiting illnesses. Organizers say the proceeds will help create experiences and memories for participating children and their families.
Noon — Side-by-side rodeo entries
Sunday rodeo events will begin after entries open at the Grants Rodeo Grounds.
Competitions include:
• Barrel racing
• Pole bending
• Flag race
• Rescue race Buckles will be awarded based on competitors’ combined results from Saturday and Sunday.
Activities Continue Through Weekend
Weekend attractions are expected to include:
• Side-by-side races and rodeo events
• Scenic rides through the Mount Taylor and Zuni Mountains areas
• A glow ride and parade
• Side-by-side displays and competitions
• Children’s activities
• Food vendors
• Local craft vendors
• Native American artwork • Local shopping
• Live music
• Family activities
Supporting Local Businesses
The rally’s Business Card Quest is intended to encourage participants to travel throughout Grants and Milan, visit local businesses and spend money within the community.
Rally organizers also thanked the businesses and organizations contributing to participant swag bags, including Aarons, Jenny’s Pet Grooming, the Cibola County Sheriff’s Department, Uncle Roy’s, Small Wonders, Greenleaf State Farm, Chris Winch Farmers and Roberta’s Place.