NE Heights weekend roundup Oct. 7-9

1. Balloon Viewing Silent Hike brings avid morning hikers to view the city’s Balloon Fiesta from Michael Emery Trailhead at Spain and Tramway from  7:30-9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8. The hike will be a 90-minute, 2-mile-hike loop beginner hiking trail with mild elevation increases. Bring water, sunscreen, good hiking shoes, snacks, camera and dress for the chilly morning weather with layers encouraged. Guests are asked to respect the silent walk with minimal conversation throughout the hike. 

2. Monster Jam at Expo NM is an action-packed motorsport with world-class athletes locked in intense competitions of speed and skill. Witness heated rivalries, high-flying stunts and fierce head-to-head battles for glory. These 12,000-pound monster trucks, include the legendary Grave Digger, Megalodon, El Toro Loco and more. Shows are 7 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, and 1 p.m. Sunday.  Tickets are $25-$55 through Ticketmaster.

3. Backyard Market at ABQ Collective has more than 35 vendors, live music and food trucks, as well as the 14 businesses inside of the ABQ Collective of local artisans and retailers. People will have tons of fun shopping this new Heights weekend market. Hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at 1321 Eubank Blvd. NE.

Click photo for link to event.

Citywide events

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. This weekend is the last chance to check out the 50th anniversary of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. For a full schedule of events and tickets, click here.