October is in full swing in Cloudcroft, and the village is alive with seasonal activities, arts and culture events, and exciting updates from local businesses. From spooky celebrations to arts showcases and wellness offerings, there’s plenty for residents and visitors to enjoy this month.
Spooky Spots and Halloween Fun
Cloudcroft is gearing up for Halloween with a variety of events sure to delight families and thrill-seekers alike. Cloudcroft Schools will host their Fall Festival fundraiser on Friday, October 24th, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. Attendees can enjoy dollar bingo with prizes—including a one-night stay in the Lodge’s Governor’s Suite—cake walks, carnival games, dinner, and more.
The following day, Saturday, October 25th, the village’s iconic Pumpkin Roll returns on the steep Swallow Place at 11:00 a.m. Trustee Gail McCoy leads the event and is seeking volunteers; interested community members can email her at TrusteeMcCoy@cloudcroftvillage.com.
Later on the 25th, the village will hold a Trunk or Treat event starting at 3:30 p.m., with sign-ups available soon on the village website. Additionally, Summit Christian Fellowship, formerly Cloudcroft’s First Baptist Church, hosts its annual Fall Festival on Burro Avenue at 1:00 p.m. the same day.
For those seeking a haunted experience, The Lodge is offering a Halloween Ghost Hunt complete with dinner and breakfast for two. Reservations can be made by calling 575-682-2566 or emailing reservations@thelodgeresort.com. The Sacramento Mountain Museum and Pioneer Haunted Village is also open on select Fridays and Saturdays throughout October—10th & 11th, 17th & 18th, 24th & 25th, and Halloween night—from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m., with tickets priced at $13 per person. Beware the jump scares!
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Finally, the International Remote Viewing Association will meet at The Lodge from September 30th through October 5th, offering attendees a chance to explore the controversial practice depicted in films like The Men Who Stare at Goats. More information is available online.
Arts and Culture
Cloudcroft continues to celebrate creativity this month. Hilary Kitzman, a local EMT and volunteer with the Cloudcroft VFD, has spent nearly 20 years in Hollywood and Los Angeles and is now producing films from Cloudcroft. Her recent work, Wild Like Me, explores how inmates in an Arizona prison train wild mustangs and discover purpose and redemption. The film is streaming on Great American Pure Flix and Amazon Prime.
Local talent is also thriving in fiber arts. Carly Spann won Grand Champion at the Otero County Fair for a kimono-inspired woven garment created during Joan Nussbaum’s weaving course at High Valley Weaving School.
Samantha Odom Art is offering a free instructional course in commercial arts for five students. Interested participants can sign up through her Facebook page. Meanwhile, Black Bear Coffee Shop features artwork by co-owner and photographer Crystal Tompkins, whose light-capturing images can be enjoyed alongside seasonal lattes.
The Cloudcroft Art Society Cooperative Gallery will host The Holiday Show beginning October 4th, with arts and crafts available for purchase every Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Old Red Brick Schoolhouse through the end of November. Nearby, the Osha Trail Depot, located in the former High End Cannabis retail space, showcases local art, handmade wares, and southwestern goods, with owner Debbi McCurdy seeking artists to represent.
Local Business Highlights
Cloudcroft’s small-business scene is buzzing this month. Levain It Up, a new sourdough grab-and-go bakery in High Rolls off Highway 82, is open Fridays through Sundays from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Base Camp, located on Burro Avenue, is now available for rental and sale. Owner Ellie Smith expressed gratitude for the community’s support and hopes new ownership will continue to grow the business.
Cloudsoft Laundry To Go has expanded services to offer pick-up and delivery in Cloudcroft, Alamogordo, High Rolls, and Mayhill. Follow them on Instagram @cloudsoftlaundry or call 520-330-2613 for service.
Be in the Mountains Yoga has moved to a sunlit unit in the Village Plaza, continuing to offer Thai Yoga, Swedish Blend massage, Vinyasa, Yin Yoga, and more.
Maggie’s, next to Bhair Necessities, is undergoing a fresh paint job and rebranding under new ownership. Renamed Kerry’s Kitchen, the shop will focus on cheesecakes and aims to open in December.
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In Mayhill, Sharlene Rogers, Nurse Practitioner, and daughter Sabina McClain, R.N., opened Mountain Grit Wellness, offering a medical clinic and spa services, including Botox and insulin consultations. Hours are Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and every other Saturday by appointment.
Trestle Medical Services has expanded its schedule and is hosting a vaccination clinic on October 10th from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. in partnership with Walgreens, offering flu, RSV, and pneumonia vaccines for ages 3 and up. Call 575-682-1014 to schedule.
Community and Civic Engagement
The Cloudcroft Chamber of Commerce and Cloudcroft Reader co-sponsor a public candidate debate on Tuesday, October 14th, featuring mayoral candidates Tim King and Dusty Wiley. Attendees can also meet trustee candidates Keith Hamilton, Gail McCoy, and Danny Hardwick, and hear from Judge Mark Tatum. RSVP at rsvp@cloudcroftreader.com.
Gather, Enjoy, and Give
Wine enthusiasts can enjoy Sheehan Winery tastings at the Grand Cloudcroft Hotel on October 3rd from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., reserved for hotel guests ages 21 and older.
The Dunn Solar Telescope at Sunspot Observatory continues studies of Jupiter and Saturn through October 3rd, offering rare planetary alignment viewing opportunities.
Free outdoor movies behind the Burro Street Exchange include Ghostbusters (October 11th), Haunted Mansion (October 25th), and Casper (October 31st), starting at 7:30 p.m.
Local organizations are also giving back. Mayhill Baptist Church holds a silent auction on October 4th to support Christy Duncan’s family after a house fire. On October 25th, Osha Trail Depot hosts a silent auction with live music and chili to fundraise for a new Cloudcroft helipad. Call 575-551-2099 to donate items.
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A Village Alive in Autumn
From festive fall gatherings and Halloween thrills to arts, wellness, and local business updates, Cloudcroft in October offers something for everyone. Whether attending a community event, exploring the arts, or supporting small businesses, residents and visitors alike can enjoy the vibrant spirit of the village this autumn.
