New Mexico Rail Runner Express running special
Labor Day Weekend Service to Wine Festival again!
                                                                                 
Wine Festival-goers urged to purchase Rail Runner tickets in advance on-line

(Bernalillo, NM August 23, 2007) For the second year, visitors to the New Mexico Wine Festival will have another transportation alternative to get to the wildly popular affair. The New Mexico Rail Runner Express is offering special train service over the upcoming long Labor Day weekend. And like last year, people taking the train can catch a free shuttle bus from the U.S. 550/Sandoval County station to the festival, or they can opt to take a short walk from the station to the annual event.

“Last year’s Rail Runner connection to the Wine Festival was a tremendous success,” says Lawrence Rael, Executive Director for the Mid-Region Council of Governments. “Lots of people took advantage of the opportunity to avoid the traffic and parking hassles. Now that the whole corridor from Belen to Bernalillo is open, we’re expecting even more people to ride the train to the Wine Festival.”

The 20th Annual New Mexico Wine Festival will be held in the Town of Bernalillo over Labor Day Weekend: Saturday, Sept 1st, Sunday, Sept 2nd, and Monday, Sept 3rd.

2007 Wine Festival Rail Runner Schedule (PDF)

Celebrating its 20th year, the New Mexico Wine Festival attracts nearly 30,000 people. 19 wineries from across the state offer up free tastings and sales by the glass, as well as the purchase of bottles and cases for home consumption. There’s also a variety of food vendors, live entertainment, and a juried art show. Once again, the festival also showcases some of New Mexico’s finest agriculture. There are even activities for kids.

”The New Mexico Wine Festival is the premier wine event of the Southwest”, says Maria Rinaldi, Executive Director, NM Wine Festival. “More and more people come out to the festival each year, so the fact that we can offer Rail Runner service to get them here is a big plus for this event.”
 
“It’s great that the Rail Runner can be used for special events like the New Mexico Wine Festival”, says Bernalillo Mayor Patricia Chávez. “Venues like this really serve to connect the region by bringing people together and increasing tourism in the middle valley. Additionally, the Wine Festival is an important economic event to the Town of Bernalillo”, added Mayor Chávez.

This year festival-goers can avoid the lines and purchase their Rail Runner tickets in advance on-line. Please select the “Saturday Pass” option in order to get the $2 day pass special fare.

NM Wine Festival tickets can also be purchased in advance on-line.

Contacts: 

• Augusta Meyers, MRCOG Communications Mgr. 505-239-8612, ameyers@mrcog-nm.gov
• S.U. Mahesh, NM Department of Transportation (505) 490-0976

Show all News and Events