More rain is expected over the weekend and although several events have been cancelled, there is still plenty to do around the far Northeast Heights. Grab the umbrella and raincoat before heading out to have fun at one of these events:
1. Cheer on the Chargers as both the boys and girls varsity soccer teams take on Valley Thursday, Oct. 6. The boys home game starts at 3:30 p.m. and the girls away game at 4:30 p.m. Albuquerque Academy’s varsity volleyball team also have an away game vs. Hope Christian at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6., and on Saturday, Oct. 8 their cross-country team will compete in the 2022-23 Albuquerque Metro Championships at Nusenda Community Stadium.
2. Watch the balloons from North Domingo Baca Multigenerational Center during the Special Shapes Rodeo Breakfast from 7-9 a.m. Breakfast will be served on the patios as balloons launch just down the road from NDB. Stop by 7521 Carmel Ave. NE to become a member. New memberships have a $20 annual fee.
3. Tin Can Alley Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Watch Parties continue Friday, Oct. 7, through Sunday, Oct. 9, at 6110 Alameda Blvd. NE. Doors open at 5:30 a.m. with coffee, hot chocolate and breakfast burritos available for purchase. The Cozy Nook will open at 6 a.m., On the Flip at 6:30 a.m., Squeezed! Juice Bar/Nitro Creamery begins serving at 7 a.m., Brotique 505 opens at 8 a.m. and Pho Kup wil begin serving at 8:30 a.m. Visit tincanalleyabq.com/events for more info.
4. Check out guitarist and singer Michael Rascon Friday, Oct. 7 and Saturday, Oct. 8 at Sandia Resort & Casino’s Tlur Pa Lounge. Live music is scheduled at the lounge from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Visit sandiacasino.com/event/michael-rascon for more details.
5. Let’s Lego at Cherry Hills Library is a Lego club for kids ages 6-12. The club meets Sunday, Oct. 9 from 3-4 p.m. in the Children’s Room. Cherry Hills Library is located at 6901 Barstow St. NE. For more information, visit abqlibrary.org/cherryhills.
6. Despite the rain, balloons are still taking to the air, lighting up in the evening and bringing in tourists from around the world. Events for the rest of the 2022 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta include:
Thursday, October 6
3-6 p.m.: Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
5 p.m.: Team Fastrax
6 p.m.: Special Shape Glowdeo
7:30 p.m.: Team Fastrax
7:45 p.m.: Aerial Light Show
8 p.m.: *AfterGlow
Friday, October 7
6 a.m.: Dawn Patrol
7 a.m.: Special Shape Rodeo
7 a.m.: Double Balloon Launch and Competition
7:30-11 a.m.: Fiestas de Los Globitos (Remote Control Balloons Exhibition)
8 a.m. to noon: Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
10 a.m.: Chainsaw Carving Auction
3-6 p.m.: Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
5 p.m.: Team Fastrax
6 p.m.: Special Shape Glowdeo
7:30 p.m.: Team Fastrax
7:45 p.m.: Aerial Light Show
8 p.m.: *AfterGlow
Saturday, October 8
5:45 a.m.: Aerial Light Show
6 a.m.: Dawn Patrol Show
6:30 a.m.: Krispy Kreme Morning Glow
7 a.m. Mass Ascension
8 a.m. to noon: Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
10 a.m. Chainsaw Carving Auction
11 a.m. Balloon Fiesta Pin Trading (Group Tour Tent north end of Main Street)
1-5 p.m. Music Fiesta
3-6 p.m.: Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
5 p.m. Team Fastrax
6 p.m. Night Magic
6 p.m. Fiestas de Los Globitos (Remote Control Balloons Exhibition)
7:30 p.m.: Team Fastrax
7:45 p.m. Aerial Light Show
8 p.m.: *AfterGlow
Sunday, October 9
5:45 a.m.: Aerial Light Show
6 a.m.: Dawn Patrol Show
6:30 a.m.: Krispy Kreme Morning Glow
7 a.m.: Farewell Mass Ascension
8 a.m. to noon: Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
*Fireworks start times are approximate and subject to change without notice.
Citywide events
7. Celebrate the fall season by heading over to the Galloping Goat Pumpkin Patch in Rio Rancho. This is the first weekend the patch is open at Rio Rancho Events Center, and it will remain open through the month of October. Families ca visit the corn pit, harvest maze, tricycle track, playhouses, roping arena, pumpkin bowling, duck races, mud pie kitchen, putt-putt golf, football toss, corn hole, basketball shoot, fall decor and, of course, pumpkins. Each weekend also features a petting zoo and paintball target area. Visitors can select their pumpkins to purchase on site. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with prices ranging from $7-$9. For more information, click here.
8. If you’re more in the mood for a musical, Popejoy Hall has you covered with “Hairspray.” Showings of the Tony Award-winning production begin Thursday and run through Sunday. Join 16-year-old Tracy Turnblad in 1960s Baltimore as she sets out to dance her way into TV’s most popular show. For a schedule of shows or tickets, click here.
9. It’s spooky season, so what better time is there to visit Dragon’s Dreamland, New Mexico’s No. 1 haunted attraction. Haunts open at dusk with scheduled hours of 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays and 7 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets are $20 for a single attraction for those 13 and older, or a $60 multi-pass allows you into all four attractions (Dragon’s House of Horror, Mile of Terror, Wicked Pumpkin and Gateway to Terror). Get your haunt on at 860 County Road 36. For more information or tickets, click here.
10. Head over to Tingley Coliseum, 300 San Pedro Drive NE, for Monster Jam. Shows are 7 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, and 1 p.m. Sunday. Featured competitors are Grave Digger Adam Anderson Monster Mutt Dalmatian Linsey Read, Jurassic Attack Paul Jensen, Extreme Attitude Travis Mowery, Rockwell Red Zach Jensen, Velociraptor Dave Olfert, Vendetta Mike Christensen and Wrecking Machine Dalton Widner. For more information or tickets, click here.
