WEEKEND EVENTS/PSA’S BEGINNING SEPT. 17, 2026

SATURDAYS THROUGH END OF OCTOBER

Hobbs Farmers Market will be held from 9am until 1pm on Saturdays through the end of October at Green Meadow Lake Park, 4400 N. Lovington Hwy in Hobbs. Lovington Farmers Market will be open from 9am-12noon on Saturdays outside the historic Lea County Courthouse, 100 N. Main St. in Lovington. A variety of vendors will be set up to offer products such as locally grown vegetables, fruits, nuts, honey, eggs, plants, arts, crafts and more, plus food and drink trucks will be on site. Admission is free and open to everyone. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (Hobbs and Lovington Farmers Market Facebook pages. (for Lovington call Lynnette, 575-441-0329)

THROUGH SEPT. 30

Vitalant welcomes the public to give blood and help save lives during upcoming blood drives in the area. Anyone who gives blood during the month of August gets a $15 gift card! Walk-ins are welcome or call ahead to set up an appointment at 575-625-9743. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com or www.vitalant.org. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com.

***ANYONE who gives blood at these remaining September drives will get a free t-shirt and entered into a drawing for $10,000 from Vitalant. (national drawing)

***A blood drive will be held on Fri, Sept. 18 from 10am-1:30pm in the bloodmobile at First Methodist Church, 407 Main St. in Lovington;

***A blood drive will be held on Wed, Sept. 23 from 10am-2pm in the bloodmobile at Kassis Companies, 3820 N. Grimes in Hobbs; and

***A blood drive will be held on Thurs, Sept. 24 from 10am-2pm in the bloodmobile at New Mexico Jr. College, 5317 N. Lovington Hwy in Hobbs.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 19

Encore Entertainment presents “American Tune: Simon, Croce & Taylor) on Sat, Sept. 19 at 7pm at Watson Hall on the NMJC campus in Hobbs. The concert features singer and guitarist Tom Glynn performing the music of Paul Simon, Jim Croce and James Taylor. Tickets are $25 for adults and available at the door or in advance at Q Systems Music & Sound, at Music World or online at swsymphony.org. Admission is FREE for anyone age 18 and younger or college students of any age with current ID. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (575-738-1041)

THURSDAY, SEPT. 24

Covenant Health Hobbs Hospital invites the public to a Caring Connections presentation on “Bariatric Surgery” and “Suicide Prevention Month”. The FREE event will be from noon to 1pm on Thurs, Sept. 24 in the hospital's Maddox Community Center, 4900 N. Lovington Hwy. Lunch will be provided. Speakers will be Dr. Mark Cavaretta, a general and bariatric surgeon on the hospital's new bariatric surgery service line, and Katrina Fuller of Hobbs on suicide prevention and the resources available locally. She also will have prevention resources and gun locks with her. Pre-registration is NOT required; however, an RSVP would be appreciated—Shannon Bush at shannon.bush@providence.org. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com.

TUESDAYS IN SEPTEMBER—SEPT. 22 AND 29

The City of Hobbs is offering volunteers the opportunity to help out during this month, as September is National Cleanup Month. Anyone who wants to help should show up from 4-5pm on Tues, Sept. 22 at McAdams Park (on Jack Gomez Blvd. West of the Lovington Hwy, and from 4-5pm on Tues, Sept. 29 at Green Meadow Park on the Lovington Hwy. All cleanup materials will be provided, but helpers must sign a volunteer form first. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (575-263-1008 or email enunez@hobbsnm.gov)

FRIDAY/SATURDAY, SEPT. 25 AND 26

United Way of Lea County will kickoff its annual fundraising campaign with the 34^th Annual Chilifest & More: Wild West Edition on Fri and Sat, Sept. 25 and 26 in downtown Hobbs. There will be a “Battle of the Bites: Food Truck Edition”, car show, “Chili” Idol, Project Heartburn 5k, Family Fun Zone, chili cookoff and more.  Find out more at United Way of Lea County's website, Facebook and other socials, or call 397-2203; 320 N. Shipp, Suite B in Hobbs. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com.

FRIDAY/SATURDAY, SEPT. 25 AND 26

The 11^th annual Red Dirt Black Gold Music Festival will be held Sept. 25 and 26 in downtown Artesia, NM. Performers will include Pecos and the Rooftops, Logan Ryan Band, The Wilder Blue, and The Delk Band. The event will include a New Mexico Brewfest, local food trucks and vendors. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com.

(www.reddirtblackgold.com)

THROUGH OCT. 31

The Joy family of Artesia invites the public to enjoy their annual Heirloom Acres Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch on Friday nights and weekends from Oct. 3-31. The location is 1 mile east of Artesia on Hwy 82. Visitors may enjoy the 8-acre maze, pick pumpkins from the patch, jump on the giant, inflatable pillow, roast s'mores, buy tasty treats, take pictures and more. For hours of operation, cost and other information, look online for Heirloom Acres or go to heirloomacres.co.

THROUGH SEPT. 30

The City of Hobbs Recreation Dept. invites the public to continue to use the splash pads through Sept. 30. The outdoor pools are all closed until next year, but the indoor pools and other water recreation are open at The CORE year around. There are FIVE Splash Pads open in Hobbs, open 10:30am-7:30pm ON WEEKENDS ONLY.

***City Park, 1001 E. Clinton; Jefferson Park, 1120 W. Park; Mills Elementary School, 3000 N. Acoma; Taylor Elementary Schook, 1800 E. Pecos; and Washington Park, 1301 E. Marland. Press the red button or step on the foot plate to activate water. Public use is free and open to everyone. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (www.hobbsnm.gov)

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, OCT. 23 AND 24

The Hobbs Branch NAACP invites the public to save the date for the 75^th annual New Mexico State Conference “We The People” on Oct. 23 and 24 at Zia Park Casino Hotel in Hobbs. Branches from around the state will participate. With workshops addressing complex social issues from housing to food insecurity and from voting rights to legal redress. Friday will feature a Gospel Fest at 7pm at the Western Heritage Museum and Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame. Saturday will include a prayer brunch at 10 am ($50 per person) and a banquet at 6pm ($100 per person). For more info or participation, contact Evelyn, 575-602-1317; Joe at 575-318-6413, or Mae at 1-803-361-6106. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com.

RUN TFN

The Western Heritage Museum and Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame welcome the public to see the skeleton of a T-Rex called “Stan the Dinosaur” at an exhibit open now at the museum located on the NMJC campus in Hobbs. Also, visitors can experience “American Adventure 1607”, an interactive journey to the New World at the museum. Admission will be free for museum members, NMJC faculty, students and staff. For everyone else, it’s $5 for adults, $3 for sr. citizens and kids. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (575-492-2678)

Western Heritage Museum and Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame on the NMJC campus presents movies most Sundays at 2pm. It’s free for museum members, NMJC staff, faculty and students. For non-members, the cost is $5 for adults, $3 for kids 6-12 and sr. citizens. (free for 5 and younger) Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (575-492-2678 or nmjc.edu/museum) ***The list of movies is being decided week-to-week.

Lea County Electric Coop invites the public to apply for its “Bright Ideas Grant Program”. Its purpose is to help teachers bring innovative ideas to the classroom. Eligibility is teachers in grades K-12 in the LCEC service area. Projects must benefit students in grades K-12 and teachers may apply for only one project per school year. Applications are open June 1 through Aug. 28. For more info, go to LCECNET.com or call 575-396-3631. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com.

New Mexico’s Children, Youth and Families Dept. is always recruiting families in Lea County to become foster families/homes. Anyone who’s interested should contact the CYFD at 907 W. Calle Sur in Hobbs, 505-670-2300. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com.

New Mexico 811 reminds everyone who lives in New Mexico that you must call 8-1-1 before you dig anywhere on your property. For safety reasons, it’s state law that you call before you dig. It’s free a free call. Not calling can mean citations, fines and even worse depending on any damage that occurs to power lines, water and sewer services and other infrastructure. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com.

(Please note: this is updated from last fall/school year. Watch for some changes.)

Hobbs Public Library at 509 N. Shipp St. is now open Mon-Thurs from 9am to 7pm, then Fri and Sat 9am-3pm (closed Sunday). Watch the library’s Facebook page for details about free projects and programs for all ages or call the front desk for info, 397-9328.

PLEASE NOTE: The library’s weekly reading programs and other events held during the school year HAVE RESUMED. Children's programs do NOT required registration, but Youth Progams for 4^th grade and up AND adult programs for 18-plus DO require registration, please. Programs include the following:

TUESDAY PROGRAMS:

***Tuesday Two’s: 10-10:30am with story time and craft geared for 2-yr-old’s;

***Tuesday Storytime: Storytime with story and craft for 3-5 years age, 11am-12pm

***Books and Beyond: For Grades 4-6 from 11am-12pm OR 4-5pm

WEDNESDAY PROGRAMS

***Baby Talk: 10-10:30am with storytime and craft geared for expectant mothers, caregivers and children under 2 years of age

***Storytime: Storygeared for ages 3-5, 11am-12pm

***We Read Club with story time for K-3^rd grade, 3-4pm

***Wed VIP for grades 4 and up, 3-4pm (games, arts, crafts, STEM projects and more)

THURSDAY PROGRAMS:

***Thursday Two's (2 year-olds) 10-10:30am

***Book Talk (7th-12^th grades) 4-5pm

***Book Talk (last Thursdays of the month)--SHHH! Book Club for adults (18-plus) 5:30-7:30pm

SATURDAY PROGRAMS:

***The library also offers a FREE crafting session (with all materials provided) for children from 11am-12noon in the children's section.

***The library offers a FREE crafting session called “Crafternoon” for adults (18-plus) from 1-3pm.

These services are also currently being offered:

***Kanopy is now available to stream TV shows, movies, documentaries and more. You’ll need a library card number and pin to set up a Kanopy account. The service is free for Hobbs Public Library card holders.***Curbside service still is available; order books, DVD’s, audiobooks and music CDs with a limit of 5 items to be picked up Mon, Wed and Fri from 2-4pm. Have your current, unblocked library card ready. Call the library when you arrive and items will be taken by staff to your vehicle. (575-397-9328)

For more info, contact the library at 575-397-9328; on Facebook and at hobbpubliclibrary.org.

RUN TFN

The American Heart Association wants everyone to know that high blood pressure often has no warning signs. It’s the “Silent Killer”, quietly damaging the body over time. Nearly half of adults in the U.S. have high blood pressure and many don’t even know they’re at risk. But the good news is that you can get your blood pressure checked, know your numbers and take control. Simple changes like eating healthier and moving more can help you live longer and lower your risk of heart disease, stroke and more. Find out more at heart.org/high-blood-pressure. Go online to hobbsamerica.com.

*** Helen Houston’s Justice House is hosting the Real Talk Support Group from 10-11am on most Saturdays at 1720 S. Turner in Hobbs. The support group is for those who have been incarcerated or those who have a loved one who has been or currently is in jail or prison. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com.

***The State Parks Division reminds New Mexico resident veterans to apply for their lifetime veterans pass that gives FREE admission and access to state parks, including unlimited day use and camping in areas managed by the State Parks Division of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Dept. Contact NMDVS by email at vet.benefits@dvs.nm.gov or call 1-866-433-8387.

***Hobbs Police Department announces that it will conduct sobriety checkpoints at various areas within Hobbs City Limits throughout the month, especially during holidays. These checkpoints are intended to help reduce alcohol- and other intoxicant-related incidents and increase public safety.

***Lea County Sheriff’s Office announces that it will conduct DWI checkpoints at various times and places in Lea County throughout the month, especially during the holidays. Drivers are reminded to buckle up and drive safely and soberly without texting or other distractions. Please make sure passengers, especially children are wearing seatbelts and pets are properly secured. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com.

***New Mexico State Police will conduct sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols, and registration-insurance-driver’s license checkpoints in all counties and issuing citations throughout the month, especially during the holidays. This is to reduce drug and alcohol-related deaths and help change society’s attitude about driving while impaired by alcohol, marijuana or other drugs. Buckle up, don’t speed, and don’t drink-and-drive…help save lives. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (575-885-3138; www.sp.nm.gov.

Registration is open again soon for New Mexico Jr. College’s FREE High School Equivalent or GED/HiSET classes. They now offer these classes not only in English, but in Spanish and the National External Diploma Program as well. Anyone who is interested may call 575-492-2629, 575-492-2630 or go to the office at 109 S. Dalmont in Hobbs for more info (a Spanish speaker is available). Classes are free, but space fills up quickly so please reach out soon.

***NMJC Adult Education Program also provides ESL (English as a Second Language) classes free but are filled for the next session. However, signups are open for the following sessions. Call the above numbers. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com

***Ask about registration and enrollment in upcoming sessions of NMJC’s English as a Second Language (ESL) and Citizenship FREE classes. Call 575-492-2629 for more information. The office is open in its new location, 109 S. Dalmont on Mon-Fri 8am-5pm (Spanish speaker available). Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (Kathleen, 575-492-2630; Spanish speakers Sandra 492-2629 and Ayde, 492-2631)

***Ask about registration/enrollment in upcoming sessions of NMJC’s FREE High School Equivalent (GED or HiSET program) and Entrepreneurial classes held at the new location, 109 S. Dalmont. All classes are offered at no charge. Interested? Call 575-492-2630 for dates, times and other info but hurry because the deadline is approaching. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (see list of names/numbers above)

***The Lea County Museum in Lovington is open with buildings at 103 N. Love, 114 E. Central and others near the courthouse. Normal hours are Mon-Friday from 9am-5pm; admission is free to all buildings and exhibits and to most programs. Find out more at 1radiosquare.com. (396-4805)

***Salvation Army of Lea County’s Food Bank at 520 E. Main St. is open to the public Mon, Wed and Fri 9am-12noon and 1-4pm. The free food pantry is open for those in need. Food is taken to shut-ins in all communities of Lea County and some in West Texas once each month. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (397-2119; 820 S. Fowler)

***Donations are accepted for the local Women’s Career Closet. Donations should be primarily business casual and professional clothing to be used for free by women in need who are entering and advancing through the job market. Donations may be dropped off M-F 8am-5pm at 107 S. Dalmont in Hobbs. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com.

***Oilfield Connections International, Hobbs Chapter has recently organized and is looking for members. Anyone may join. The annual membership fee starts at $25. Monthly luncheon meetings feature guest speakers and are open to members and the public ($25 meal charge). Buy a membership and get up to 20% off the luncheon cost. Members meet to network, exchange knowledge, info and experience in order to help businesses grow and prosper. Go online at www.oilfieldconnections.net for more info or to RSVP. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (Derek Jones, 575-393-731)