Santa Fe - Fall 2008

As Santa Fe continues preparations for its 400th Anniversary in 2010, two major projects that have been in development for the last several years open this autumn; the Santa Fe Railyard and the new Santa Fe Community Convention Center. The Santa Fe Railyard Park + Plaza is destined to be a new town hub. The 50 acre site will include over 13 acres of public space, a new retail corridor, a large park, plaza, performance center, new home for the Santa Fe Farmers Market, trail system, children's play area, art space, teen center, and much more. The Railyard incorporates some of the city's popular attractions such as SITE Santa Fe contemporary art museum, Sanbusco Market Center, El Museo Cultural, the Santa Fe Southern Railway, Market Station, and the many shops, galleries, and restaurants along Guadalupe Street. The excitement has been building in and around the Railyard as the project officially opened in mid-September.

The Railyard will also become the terminus for new commuter train service running between Albuquerque and Santa Fe beginning in December, 2008. The New Mexico Rail Runner Express has already been operating from south of Albuquerque to north of the city for the last two years. Now, tracks are being built in the median of I-25 into Santa Fe, connecting with existing rail line to link Santa Fe with the cities to its south. The service will run multiple times daily and be met at the station in the Railyard by buses for transportation around town.

In addition, new to the city this fall is the Santa Fe Community Convention Center. Opened in early September, the building is a 72,000 square foot meeting facility and visitors center that includes the "Handmade in Santa Fe" art gallery and the offices of the Santa Fe Convention & Visitors Bureau with its large information area. There, visitors will find a vast amount of material about the city and its attractions and be able to get answers about the city from the bureau's knowledgeable Information Specialists. The new center is the greenest, municipal building in the city and a definitive statement underscoring Santa Fe's commitment to environmental responsibility.

As for fall itself, it has to be the best season of all in the Rocky Mountains. The days are warm, the nights crisp, and the forest's canopy is golden as the aspens turn under the clearest skies all year. Located on the doorstep of the Sangre de Cristo Mountain range, Santa Fe is the perfect jumping off spot for fall leaf viewing and outdoor recreation. Driving tours, hikes, and chairlift rides are all within close proximity to the city's historic downtown.

A short drive from the Santa Fe Plaza up Artist Road/Highway 475 are trailheads for the Dale Ball Trail System, various walks in and around Hyde Memorial State Park, the Aspen Vista trail cut through a huge aspen stand, and finally the Winsor Trial-gateway to the 250,000 acre Pecos Wilderness Area. At the top of the road is the Santa Fe Ski Area which operates its Super Chief, 4-person chairlift during the height of fall colors. With the best views on the mountain, the chair runs at a leisurely pace through aspens and conifers, finally terminating high above the Rio Grande Valley affording a spectacular 8,000 square mile panorama. Typically the chairlift runs for several weeks in early October. The operating dates and hours will be posted at www.skisantafe.com . Information is also available at Ski Santa Fe, 505-983-9155.

Back in town, fall means freshly-harvested green chile is being roasted all over Santa Fe, the best of the season's fresh produce is being served at area restaurants, and the city is bathed in the most glorious warm weather of the year. All of the city's history, culture, art, and attractions are in place and easy to enjoy simply by walking through town.

Listed below are some of the events coming up this fall in Santa Fe. However, there are too many performances, readings, museum exhibitions, tours, Lensic Performing Arts Center presentations, art events, and special happenings taking place to include. For a comprehensive list of all that's going on in Santa Fe, please visit the online calendar at, www.santafe.org/calendar .

September 24 - 28: Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta
One of Santa Fe's liveliest fall events, the Wine & Chile Fiesta brings together some of the country's best vintners, food and wine experts, chefs, and Santa Fe restaurants for five days of cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, auctions, and wine maker dinners. www.santafewineandchile.org/

September 28 - October 2: Santa Fe International Conference on Creative Tourism
Santa Fe in conjunction with the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, holds the first conference of its kind in North America, focusing on creative tourism, its meaning, benefits, and implementation. The conference features a long list of notable presenters, hands-on experiences, and an international gathering of cities. www.santafecreativetourism.org .

October 4: St. Francis of Assisi Feast Day
The Nambe Pueblo, located north of Santa Fe, will hold its annual St. Francis of Assisi Feast Day on the Saint's traditional day of celebration, October 4. The day honors St. Francis' love of all creatures and is a traditional community festival including food and dancing. Nambe Pueblo, 505-455-2036.

October 4 - 5: El Rancho de Las Golondrinas Harvest Festival
El Rancho de Las Golondrinas is a living museum of Spanish Colonial life and a Santa Fe family favorite. Bring in the harvest with the villagers of El Rancho de Las Golondrinas as they crush grapes for wine by foot, grind sorghum with the help of burros, string colorful ristras, bake bizcochitos in the horno, and turn out tortillas off the comal. Featuring music, dancing, artisans, and much more, Harvest Festival is a fall highlight. www.golondrinas.org/ .

October 26: Day of the Dead/Dia de Muertos
Day of the dead activities for the whole family at the Museum of International Folk Art. www.internationalfolkart.org .

November 12: San Diego Feast Day
Held at the Tesuque Pueblo just outside Santa Fe, this traditional feast day features various dances, food, and a gathering of the community. Tesuque is one of the oldest Pueblos in the Southwest, established about 1250. 505-983-2667

November 27 - Scheduled opening date or Ski Santa Fe.
Located 16 miles from downtown, the ski area offers terrain for every ability from kids to beginners and intermediates to the most advanced skiers and snowboarders. Chipmunk Corner is a perfect place for children to learn while the deck at Totemoff''s is the spot for adults on a sunny day. Find out more, www.skisantafe.com .

December 3 - 7: Ninth Annual Santa Fe Film Festival
This is one of the fastest growing festivals in North America featuring films in five categories: Independent American-made narrative films; Documentaries; Films of any genre made outside the U.S.; Art films of any length celebrating the creative spirit; and the Southwest Showcase of films made in the Southwest regions. Parties, lectures, awards, Happy Hours, and more make this one of Santa Fe's most entertaining five days. santafefilmfestival.com/

December 6 -7: Winter Spanish Market
The 20th annual Winter Spanish Market will be held this year at the new Santa Fe Community Convention Center, 201 W. Marcy. The market is a Santa Fe exclusive featuring handcrafted traditional arts by 100 local Hispanic artists, continuous music, art demonstrations, and regional foods. Admission is free to this festival of New Mexico's vibrant Spanish culture. www.spanishmarket.org/

December 12 - 22: Santa Fe Desert Chorale Winter Festival 2008
The highly acclaimed Desert Chorale presents a series of winter concerts including, Carols & Choruses, A Merry New Mexico Christmas, Winter Gala and Cabaret, and A Hanukkah Celebration. Performances will take place in various venues. www.desertchorale.org .

The Holidays in Santa Fe are always a festive and meaningful end to the year with cultural traditions, seasonal foods, music, and special events. From the many Native American dances performed around Christmas to the Las Posadas outdoor play on the Plaza to tri-cultural celebrations during Christmas at the Palace to the simple pleasure of seeing the city outlined in glowing farolitos, the holidays in Santa Fe are exceptional. Check the online calendar for details.

For a free Santa Fe Visitors Guide and additional information, contact the Santa Fe Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-777-2489 or request a guide online and discover everything about Santa Fe at, www.santafe.org.