August Nites did not happen in August this year. The two-day festival was postponed because of COVID-19 and is now scheduled for Friday, October 22, from 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm and Saturday, October 23, from 8:00 am – 3:00 pm. The event will take place at the Lea County Events Center, 5150 North Lovington Highway, in Hobbs.
Overlapping this year’s August Nites extravaganza is another fun-filled family event for area residents and visitors to enjoy – Camel and Ostrich Races at the Zia Park Casino Racetrack scheduled for October 23 and 24. On Saturday, the 23rd, from 3:00 – 6:00 pm, the public will be able to meet and take photos of the animals, with the actual camel and ostrich races scheduled for Sunday, the 24th.
August Nites 2021 Postponed
Hosted by the Hobbs Chamber of Commerce, August Nites 2021 was moved from August until October because of the current increase of COVID-19 infections in the Hobbs area. Sponsors for the event are Lea County, Xcel Energy, The GEO Group, Inc., United Rentals, R360 Environmental Solutions, Estacado Federal Credit Union and Babcock Supply, LLC.
According to Scotty Holloman, chairman of the Hobbs Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the decision to postpone was made after consultation with the Hobbs medical community. Holloman said, “In view of the current possibility of having our local healthcare facilities overwhelmed and to try to keep schools open, it was determined to reschedule this event. We hope to have a great Hobbs August Nites in October.”
Holloman went on to say that local health care facilities do not have enough beds for those in need and that emergency room waits are long. “With rising case counts, we need to do all we can to keep folks safe. The most important being to get the COVID vaccine,” he said.
The hope is that by October COVID case numbers will be lower and more area folks will be vaccinated than today, making ”Hobbs August Nites in October” safe for area residents to attend. Of course, smart social distancing protocols will be observed.
Plans Are Being FInalized
With the event not permanently placed on hold but merely rescheduled, plans for the October happening are being finalized. Some events have already been confirmed. The HMS Band is scheduled to perform, and AKA to Kuro Martial Arts School has agreed to demonstrate “cool” karate moves. Studio M School of Dance and Music will also participate.
Other fun activities will be a Diaper Derby, a Cornhole tournament and the Hobbs Fire Department Spray Down.
Food trucks, vendors and live music will abound.
The musical lineup includes the Marin Brothers, as well as Sam Barlow, an extremely versatile vocalist, guitarist, harmonica player whose repertoire includes Blues, Country, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Tejano and many other genres. Also performing is Black Pearl Band NM. The band is the 2021 Albuquerque Journal Readers Choice Winner for Best Local Band and a 2021 New Mexico Music Award Latin finalist.
Mark Your Calendar
Specific times have been announced for some activities and performances.
Signup for the Cornhole tournament will start at 6:00 pm on October 22, with the tournament itself starting at 7:00 pm. Entrance fee is $25.00 per team. Monetary prizes of $350 for first place, $200 for second place and $100 for third place will be awarded.
Then, from 08:30 pm – 10:00 pm, Sam Barlow will take the spotlight filling out the evening’s activities.
For more information contact the Hobbs Chamber of Commerce at (575) 397-3202.
One last thing to remember is that the atmosphere is relaxed. Just bring a lawn chair and enjoy.
