This is a guest post by Taysha Ham, an agricultural communications student at New Mexico State University.
Truth or Consequences is a small city of less than 6,500 people in Sierra County, New Mexico. The city of Hot Springs changed its name to Truth or Consequences in 1950 after a popular NBC radio program hosted by Ralph Edwards.
Edwards had promised to air the program from the first town that renamed itself after the show. After Hot Springs won the contest, Edwards visited the newly-named Truth or Consequences, New Mexico during the first weekend in May for the next 50 years.
Top 6 Fun Things To Do in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
1. Take part in Fiesta Weekend – It has been a long standing tradition since the town changed its name due to the Ralph Edwards radio game show. Fiesta weekend is always held the first weekend in May. Events of fiesta include a parade down Broadway, the crowning of Miss Fiesta, junk boat races, and various events at Ralph Edwards Park. For many years Ralph Edwards would attend the Fiesta and bring celebrities into town with him.
2. Go to Elephant Butte Lake – A famous summer destination in southern New Mexico, Elephant Butte Lake is so named due to an elephant-shaped island within the lake itself. It has been said that after the lake was named, fossils of prehistoric elephants were actually discovered near the lake. The Lake is a very popular vacation spot in New Mexico, being open to swimmers, jet skis, boats, camping and fishing. There is fun for every one of all ages at the lake.
3. Hot Springs- Truth or Consequences is famous for its hot springs, which also happens to be the name of the town before it was changed. There are ten hot spring spas located right off of Broadway in the historic district in town. The water ranges from 98 to 115 degrees in temperature, has 38 different minerals but retains a pH level of 7. Most of the spas accept walk-ins, which makes a quick trip to the hot springs easy to do.
4. Float the River- The Rio Grande River flows right through town. It has become a beloved pastime to spend an afternoon floating down the river on inner tubes. There is not always enough water flowing to actually be able to float, but once more water is released, the river is full of locals as well as visitors.
5. Art Hops- Starting in 2005, art hops have been held on main street the second Saturday of every month from 6-9 in the evening. Many of the studios take part in the art hop and it has become a tradition for many. Each art hop is unique and can include food, music and if you’re lucky you may even see a horse-drawn-carriage. The town and residents make it their own each month.
6. El Cortez Movie Theater- The Theater has been around as early as 1948, before the town’s name was changed. The theater recently reopened under new management in 2007. It has only one screen, seats 120 patrons, and tickets sell at $5 for any showing. Before each show, the owner walks down to the front of the theater and welcomes everyone to the show, letting them know what movies will be coming soon. When the theater first reopened, each show was also started with the owner telling everyone to yell at the count of three. This way they got it out of their systems and would therefore not talk during the movie.
Have you been to Truth or Consequences, New Mexico? If so, what was your favorite memory from your visit? Please share in comments below.
Taysha Ham knows all about Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. It’s her home town.
A student at New Mexico State University, Taysha is majoring in agricultural communications with a minor in journalism.
This summer she is completing a social media internship for Venture Time Travel.
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