Local Events

SILVER CITY, NEW MEXICO:  The Jacob Bennett Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the Silver City Rotary Club invite everyone to attend the America 250! dedication of a Liberty Tree at the Silver City Visitor Center on Saturday, June 27, 2026 at Noon. There is no charge to attend this America 250! community event.

Chapter Regent Lucy Whitmarsh noted that the Liberty Tree was a treasured symbol in the years leading up to the American Revolution.  In towns and cities across the 13 colonies, local patriots, calling themselves the Sons of Liberty, selected a large tree in their community to serve as their gathering place and a living emblem of their commitment to freedom. Although those original trees are long gone, their spirit endures in Liberty Trees planted across America today. They are lasting reminders that the roots of freedom must always be nurtured and protected.

Rotary Club President, Ray Goellner, remarked, "The Silver City Rotary Club is pleased to join in partnership with DAR to dedicate a Liberty Tree in our town. With its location at the Visitor Center, it can be seen by over 9,000 people each year – local people and tourists who go there for information on events and things to see in the area. It can also be seen by people who enjoy walking in the landscaped areas behind the Visitor Center. We invite everyone in our communities to come and celebrate with us as we dedicate this Liberty Tree to honor Patriots of the American Revolutionary War, commemorate the birth of our nation, and provide a living symbol of freedom."

CLAY Festival 2026 begins next week, and we're excited to welcome artists, visitors, and community members to a week of workshops, exhibitions, demonstrations, artist talks, family activities, and more throughout Grant County. Many events are free and open to the public

Featured Events

Artist Talk

Wednesday, June 17th • 6–7 pm • Light Hall at WNMU

Join featured artists Penelope Van Grinsven, Bradley Klem, and Stephanie Seguin for a conversation about their work, creative process, and contemporary ceramics.

Wednesday, June 10th, long-time Silver City resident Susan Berry to present "Coming of Age," A 50-year Retrospective on Silver City Life

Silver City -- Susan Berry, long-time Silver City resident and former director of the Silver City Museum, will present "Coming of Age," a 50-year retrospective on the development of key social, cultural and economic aspects of Silver City life, reaching back in time to the 1970s. This presentation is part of the museum's ongoing Community Conversation Series, and takes place from noon to 1 pm on Wednesday, June 10th, in the ABC Room of the Besse Forward Global Resource Center on the campus of WNMU.

"It all started with the realization that the gazebo in Gough Park will be 50 years old on July 4th," Berry said, recalling that the idea for the structure was born in the museum in 1975 when she and beloved artist, community activist and curator Harry Benjamin were its only staff.

"We both dreamed of a Victorian-style bandstand, and the town approved it as a Bicentennial project," she recalled. "It's always been known as the gazebo, not a bandstand, but its origin is a small aspect of Silver City life that most people don't know about."

SILVER CITY, N.M. — Rodeo fans won't want to miss this weekend's First New Mexico Bank Wild Wild West Rodeo as it returns to the Southwest Horseman's Arena on Friday and Saturday, June 5–6.

Presented in partnership with the Freedom Rodeo Tour and Casper Baca Rodeo Company, the Wild Wild West Rodeo will bring two nights of exciting rodeo action to Silver City. Fans can expect all their favorite events, including bull riding, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, barrel racing, breakaway roping, team roping, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, and ranch bronc riding.

The fun goes beyond the arena. Spectators can enjoy rodeo clown Bob Weir, the Red Dirt Trick Riders, Mutton Bustin', the Calf Scramble, Vendor Alley, food vendors, and family-friendly entertainment throughout the evening.

[Editor's Note: Please see a flyer from the Fort Bayard National Cemetery Director and the full program below the article.]

SILVER CITY, NEW MEXICO: The Marine Corps League Gaffney-Oglesby Detachment 1328 in Silver City and the National Cemetery Administration are proud to present the Memorial Day Ceremony at Fort Bayard National Cemetery in Santa Clara, New Mexico. The ceremony is on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026 and will start at 10:00 AM. All are invited to attend this ceremony remembering and honoring those who have died while in service to our country.

The theme of this year's ceremony is "Flags for Fallen Heroes: The Meaning Behind Memorial Day Flags." We are pleased to have Senator Gabriel Ramos of New Mexico State Senate, District 28 as our Guest Speaker. The ceremony will also include Opening Remarks by Shane Delaney, Manager of the Fort Bayard National Cemetery, a Presentation of Wreaths, music by the Hi Lo Silvers choral group and bagpipes by Jim Dines, and traditional military honors.

CO.Starters will hold a Business Expo Saturday, May 30, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Seedboat Collective 214 W. Yankie St.. It will feature CO.Starters alumni. See the PDF below for more information.

CLAY Festival begins unfolding across Grant County this June with opening receptions, community events, workshops, and special programming leading up to festival week.

Here are a few upcoming events, registration opportunities, and early June happenings to plan for.

First Friday Opening Receptions

Friday, June 5 • 5–7 PM

Join us for opening receptions across downtown Silver City during First Friday, including:

Chinese Immigration in Silver City
Presented by Dr. Karen Leong
May 20, 2026 - 12pm - 1pm
Global Resource Center, ABC Room

Dr. Karen Leong shares her research on Chinese immigration and the Chinese American community in Silver City. Learn about this chapter of our local history.

Continuing the Silver City Museum's Land, Labor, and Legacy Community Conversation series, Dr. Karen Leong presents her research on Chinese immigration and the Chinese American community in Silver City. Discover the often-overlooked stories of Chinese immigrants who came to work the mines, run businesses, and build lives in Grant County. This conversation sheds light on an essential chapter of our local history and the lasting contributions of Chinese Americans to our region.