Ethnic fair changing time, location

"Same time, same place ..." is normally a way to let people know to expect a repeat of the previous edition.

But the Clovis Ethnic Fair is a little different. Although the 21st edition of the fair is going to be much the same as in recent years, it's the time and the place that are not.

The fair will be held July 21 at Hillcrest Park, as opposed to more recent fairs on Main Street during September.

Members of the Ethnic Affairs Committee met Tuesday for their normal meeting, and expect several more meetings beyond the normal third Tuesday meetings in the runup to the fair.

"We're going back to Hillcrest Park, which I think is a better setting for us," said Selmus Price, the committee's chairman.

Returning events from previous years include the Flamenco Nuevo Mexico dance group, Nigerian band Agalu and the New Mexico Society of Buffalo Soldiers. Price said the fair will also have a talent show, health fair, morning fun run and car show — though committee members Jerry Whitney noted that entries could be down due to car shows also being held in Friona and Littlefield.

"I think it going to be an added attraction that we have a new location and we'll have the splash pad," City Commissioner and committee member Juan Garza said. The splash pad is opening over the Memorial Day weekend.

The fair is being moved on the calendar primarily to highlight the city's recent twinning relationship with the municipality of Kasama, Zambia — approved via a city commission resolution in February.

Price said 17 representatives of Zambia — two kings, 10 delegates and five members of a dance group — will be making stops in Santa Fe and Albuquerque for other festivals earlier in the week prior to spending three days in Clovis.

A twinning relationship, according to the resolution, allows "communities to foster international cooperation and goodwill, for countries to have a cultural exchange to learn more about each other's lifestyles, their education, infrastructure, economic development, transportation and recreation."

Price said if the budget allows, the committee will try to add a Mariachi band and preserve workshops traditionally held in the preceding days, as the committee values preserving the educational component.