Bean Days Rodeo - New Mexico Video

This Rodeo takes place annually out in a dusty field half way between Las Vegas, New Mexico and Raton, New Mexico in a tiny long forgotten town called Wagon Mound. Wagon Mound was once a bustling town along the Santa Fe Trail. These are some tough cowboys who are living out their cowboy lifestyle... big knocks for little or no pay.

History of Bean Days: 2009 marks the 99th annual Wagon Mound Bean Days celebration, a historic event that has carried on through many changes in the community. Wagon Mound was once a major center for the production of Pinto beans. For first festival in 1909, Higinio Gonzales and crew, cooked up beans in wash boilers behind the schoolhouse, and hence the next year 1910 the name and celebration Bean Day was born! Though there are few pinto beans grown in the area anymore, the tradition continues as an enjoyable family orientated celebration.

The beans and barbeque are cooked under the ground in a pit dug at the rodeo grounds. The pit is filled with wood and charcoal and burned all afternoon. At dusk the beef and beans are placed in the pit, supports and metal are place over the pit and covered with ground. In the morning, the pit is uncovered, the temperature of the meat is checked, the feast unearthed and taken to the village park for the giant outdoor banquet of 1500 or more meals. It is a free community feast for all who join in.

If you would like to see more of my NM local rodeos you can also visit Galisteo Rodeo 2009 and Galisteo Rodeo - New Mexico (from 2008). Be sure to look out for my upcoming Native American Rodeo video soon.