Got The Carlsbad Community Spirit?

By Misty Cryer

An upcoming event is expected to display the community spirit that the home of the Cavemen is well known for. The Carlsbad Downtown Back to School Block Party and Pep Rally, hosted by the Carlsbad Downtown Farmers and Makers Market, will be on Saturday, August 23.

Combined with the market of farmers and makers, a Carlsbad MainStreet project, the event features fun activities, shopping opportunities, performances, food, and music. It will be followed by a family-friendly movie at the recently renovated historic Cavern Theatre, \which will support local teachers with supplies.

Cristina Enright, Vendor Coordinator and Market Manager of Carlsbad Downtown Farmers & Makers Market with Carlsbad MainStreet, shared the details.

The Carlsbad Downtown Back to School Block Party and Pep Rally will begin at 9:30 a.m. and run until 1:30 p.m. on the courthouse lawn at Eddy County Courthouse on August 23, with the Cavern Theatre show starting at 2 p.m.

“We will have the foam machine on the lawn from 11:30 (a.m.) to 1:30 (p.m.),” said Enright. “We will have a Cavemen-themed bounce house on the lawn,” she said.

Multiple vendors will be set up selling their homemade and homegrown goods, Enright said. “We will have the Carlsbad High School Choir there, singing the National Anthem for us, followed by a performance by the Carlsbad High School Band and Color Guard, in addition to the Carlsbad Cheerleaders,” she said.

Kingdom Elite and Top Notch Cheer will be in attendance doing cheer performances, said Enright.

At press time, Enright said that three food trucks had been confirmed. They include Grizzly Bear’s Lemonade, So Good Snow Cones, and Papo’s Eats and Treats. “We will also have the gentleman on the lawn selling his famous Cali-style bacon dogs that he does. He’s actually very well known in the community and makes delicious hot dogs,” she said.

“DJ Jose Orneles will be playing some tunes for us at the gazebo,” said Enright. “Carlsbad Radio 104.1 will be in attendance broadcasting the event while we’re there as well,” she added.

Enright said she expects it to be a fun, family afternoon with eating and shopping local. She specified that the block party and pep rally will conclude at 1:30 p.m.

At 2 p.m., a family film will be showing in the newly renovated Cavern Theatre, said Enright. “We’ll be showing ‘The Goonies,’” she said.

“What we’re doing instead of charging, we’re asking the adults to bring a teacher supply. We’ve created a supply list—we’re asking for donations for teachers—and that will be their entrance into the theater,” said Enright. She confirmed entry for kids into the movie showing is free as part of the community back-to-school celebration.

The list published on the Facebook page for Cavern Theatre contains the following school supplies for teachers: Expo markers, Flair pens, sticker assortment, treasure chest incentives, pencils for incentives, mini erasers for incentives, children’s books to build library, Kleenex, Clorox wipes, paper towels, Post-its, copy paper, white card stock, colored card stock, glue, adult scissors, tape (masking, packaging, clear), dividers, black Sharpies, color Sharpies, fine tip Sharpies, zip lock baggies (all sizes), baby wipes, sensory/fidget toys, note pads, and index cards.

In the past, the event was a Third Thursday event called “Paint the Town Blue,” Enright explained. “We are not doing Thursday markets this August; it is on Saturday. This time, we’re doing a Back to School Block Party and Pep Rally at our Downtown Farmers and Makers Market,” she said.

For more information about this event, the Carlsbad Downtown Farmers and Makers Market, or other Carlsbad MainStreet projects, staff can be reached at 575-628-3768.