WEEKEND EVENTS/PSA’S BEGINNING JULY 29, 2026

JULY 31 THROUGH AUG. 8

The 90^th annual Lea County Fair and Rodeo will be held July 31-Aug. 8 at the Fairgrounds in Lovington. The theme is “Hats Off to 90 Years!” Visit Noalmark Broadcasting’s booth in the Zia Building each night to sign up for a chance to win prizes and pick up free goodies, too! Listen for live broadcasts on all our stations--and watch livestreams of the parade and the junior livestock auction. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (See fair and rodeo schedule, carnival and other info attached; find out more at leacountyfair.net)

FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY, JULY 31-AUG. 2

It’s Tax Free Weekend for back-to-school in New Mexico from 12:01am on Fri, July 31 through midnight Sun, Aug. 2. No tax will be charged on qualifying retail items related to back-to-school shopping and helping families afford to get kids ready for the new school year. Items will include clothing, school supplies and electronics. For a complete list of tax-free items, go to www.tax.nm.gov. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (Tax-free weekend in Texas will be Aug. 7-9)

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 FRI, JULY 31

WHI Hobbs (Weekend Hunger Initiative) will hold its annual Christmas in July Food Drive now through Fri, July 31. The organization provides free bags of food to local K-12 students in need before each weekend through the school year. Local businesses, churches, organizations, clubs and individuals are invited to collect shelf-stable food items and help re-stock for the coming school year. To find out more about taking part, donating and supporting WHI Hobbs, please call 575-441-2732 or email Leslie Pfalzgraf at Leslie.p@whihobbs.com. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com.

THROUGH AUGUST 31

Vitalant welcomes the public to give blood and help save lives during upcoming blood drives in the area. 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.

RUN TFN

The City of Hobbs Recreation Dept. invites the public to use the outdoor pools and splash pads this summer. Del Norte Pool, N. Dal Paso, is open 12noon-6pm Tuesday through Sunday and Humble Pool, 4314 N. Grimes is open 12noon-6pm on Saturday and Sundays only. Heizer Pool is not open for public use. Admission is free for under 4 years of age, and for 62 and older. Admission for ages 4-61 is $2 per person. Pools will be open through the weekend before public schools start classes (NOT open weekends after school starts through Labor Day as was done in the past).

There are FIVE Splash Pads open in Hobbs 10:30am-7:30pm this summer:

***City Park, 1001 E. Clinton

***Jefferson Park, 1120 W. Park

***Mills Elementary School, 3000 N. Acoma

***Taylor Elementary Schook, 1800 E. Pecos Dr.

***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)

THROUGH SEPT. 15

People who live in the City of Hobbs within city limits are under water restrictions now through Sept. 15. Those who live at addresses that end in even numbers may water lawns on calendar dates that end in even numbers. Those who live at addresses that end in odd numbers may water lawns only on calendar dates that end in odd numbers. Watering hours are from 4-8am OR 7-11pm but NOT both. Anyone with questions should contact Hobbs Water Dept. Get more info online at hobbsamerica.com.

***Lovington residents: All spray irrigation and sprinklers are banned from 9am-6pm daily. NO landscape watering on Mondays. Addresses ending in odd numbers water on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Addresses ending in even numbers water on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.  

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. (575-492-2678)

RUN TFN

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.

***The movies for Sunday, July 12 will be the action/thriller “Hunter Killer” starring Gerard Butler and Gary Oldman.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 will resume in September. They 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 and 4-5pm

WEDNESDAY PROGRAMS

***Baby Talk: 10-10:30am with storytime and craft geared for expectant mothers, caregivers and children 0-24 months of age

***Storytime: Story and craft geared for ages 3-5, 11am-12pm

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

***Wed VIP for grades 4-6, 3-4pm (group games, arts, crafts, STEM projects and more)

THURSDAY PROGRAMS:

***Dual Language 11-12pm Spanish & English storytime and craft for 3-5 years of age;

***Get Crafty adult program, 3:30-4:30pm

SATURDAY PROGRAMS:

***The library also offers a FREE crafting session (with all materials provided) for everyone from 11am-noon downstairs in the children’s department on Saturdays.

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)

*** 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)