Summer is truly upon us!
I don’t know about you, but this year has just flown by for us here at MainStreet. We have finally recovered from this year’s CavernFest and as always, our community and partners showed up to help make this event a tremendous success. CavernFest would not be possible without the support of the City of Carlsbad and Eddy County. It isn’t easy to turn an active downtown into a festival venue that draws the likes of Eli Young Band and Randy Rodgers to play here, but thanks to the support and collaboration of our City and County we are able to accomplish this feat every year. Chevron was our title sponsor for this year’s event along with other companies like XTO, Carlsbad Chevrolet, Western Commerce Bank, R360, KB Services, Forrest Tire, and the list continues. Chevron is a great company to partner with, helping to provide a free festival for the community and visitors to enjoy, showing their commitment and dedication to this area.
Here at MainStreet, our goal is to encourage the community to explore our local paradise! You do not need to travel far to attend a concert or try new food. What is stopping us from doing that right where we are? As an organization that hosts events in the community, we often hear “There’s nothing to do here, there’s never anything going on,” and that could not be further from the truth! For example, we kicked off summer with CavernFest. The following week began our Third Thursday and Farmers Market season which continues through the end of September. These events host live music, different vendors, new food trucks, and other activities reminding community members that everything we need is right here on our doorstep. Visit our website for an up-to-date list of events happening all over Carlsbad.
Aside from events and our downtown, when was the last time you went to the Caverns? Watched the bat flight? Hiked the peak? Even just walked the beach area? When you live in a town, it is sometimes easier to point out what is not available or what is lacking rather than appreciate what is available to enjoy. When was the last time you tried a new restaurant here? Or even tried a different menu item or special of the day? It is the little things that transform the place you live in into your own local paradise. Plan a staycation, treat yourself to a new experience or service, or set foot in that store that you pass every day on your drive home that has piqued your curiosity.
We are blessed with the paradise that is Carlsbad, New Mexico. So many of us are proud to call this place home. I hope that after reading this summer edition of Focus, you are inspired to view our community through a different lens, even if just for one day. Let’s treat this town like the paradise that it is.
Kat Davis,
Executive Director,
Carlsbad MainStreet Arts & Cultural District
