Celebrating Independence

Happy 4th of July! I wish you and your families a safe and meaningful Independence Day. This time of year is always special in Carlsbad as we gather together to celebrate the spirit of our community and the freedom we are so fortunate to enjoy. Thank you for being a part of what makes Carlsbad a great community in which to live.

Our Fourth of July Celebration: Red, White and Blue on the River is packed with fun activities for all ages. This year’s lineup includes the morning parade, foam and gellyball entertainment, a watermelon-eating contest, music from DJ G Money, and live performances by Band Big Springs, Grupo Maldad, Topo Chico Cowboys, and Grupo Veneno. We will close out the evening with the best fireworks display in Southeast New Mexico over the Pecos River. All activities are free and open to the public, and we hope to see you and your family enjoying the celebration.

If you are looking for even more to do on the 4th, the Carlsbad Water Park and the Miniature Golf Course will both remain open during the holiday. The fun continues on July 5th with the Glow Miniature Golf Tournament hosted by United Way of Eddy County. I will be playing Representative Cathrynn Brown this year. We are tied 1-1 on the times we’ve competed, and I’m looking to pull ahead!

While we celebrate, I want to remind everyone to keep a close eye on your pets. Fireworks can be overwhelming for animals, so please make sure your pets are safe and secure. The summer heat is also something to watch carefully. Make sure your pets have access to fresh water and shade, and avoid walking them on hot pavement during peak temperatures.

We are also happy to report that improvements at the Lake Carlsbad Golf Course are going well. The driving range and championship course are now open to the public, and we anticipate the entire project to be complete by August 1, 2025. Thank you to everyone who has supported this important update to one of our most popular recreational areas.

Another exciting community update is the successful reopening of the Cavern Theatre. The grand opening was a great success, and we are thrilled to see this historic downtown venue brought back to life. More movies will be showing soon. For the latest updates and schedules, please follow the Cavern Theatre Facebook page.

Finally, we want to thank Mother Nature for the much-needed rain we have received recently. While the rainfall is appreciated, it also leads to increased weed growth. We ask that residents and business owners help keep Carlsbad beautiful by staying on top of yard and property maintenance. Taking care of weeds helps improve curb appeal and also helps reduce fire risks during the summer months.

Thank you for your ongoing support and your commitment to our city. I hope you and your families have a joyful and safe Independence Day. We look forward to seeing you out and about this July as we celebrate our freedom and country.

Sincerely,

Mayor Rick Lopez