State Fair showcases New Mexico goodies

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) - When the State Fair opens Friday the New Mexico Department of Agriculture will be there to show off the tasty work of the state's growers.

NMDA will have its New Mexico Country Store.

"This is a place where fairgoers can purchase New Mexico products either grown or processed in our state," state Secretary of Agriculture Dr. Miley Gonzalez said. "It's all local, everything from salsas to chocolate covered pecans."

The department also is sponsoring several fair events:

• Watermelon Carving - Saturday, Sept. 11
• New Mexico Nut Promotion - Sunday, Sept. 12
• Battle of the Salsas - Saturday, Sept. 18
• New Mexico Red Chile Promotion - Sunday, Sept. 19
• New Mexico Pumpkin Painting Contest - Saturday, Sept. 25

The fair runs through Sept. 26 but will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays as a cost-saving measure.