FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 7, 2021
Contact: Joaquin Romero
(505) 506-5798
Senator Cliff Pirtle and Senator Crystal Diamond Respond to Youth Livestock Show Cancellation at State Fair
SANTA FE – Yesterday, the New Mexico State Fair announced the cancellation of the annual youth livestock show and sale, just days away from the opening of the fair. The organizers cited Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s new public health order as a key issue in the decision because it excluded many young participants who could not get vaccinated in time.
Senator Cliff Pirtle (District 32-Chaves, Eddy, and Otero) and Senator Crystal Diamond (District 30-Doña Ana, Hidalgo, Luna, and Sierra), who raised public awareness about this potential outcome when the new public health order was enacted, released the following statements today in response to the cancellation:
“The rural-urban divide has been exacerbated at an alarming rate under Governor Lujan Grisham,” said Senator Diamond. “Our way of life in rural New Mexico seems almost irrelevant to her, and once again, it is our children who are suffering. Families across the state pleaded with the Governor, in good faith, to amend her order so we could avoid this. Instead, she has allowed our prestigious State Fair to be relegated to a flea market and pop-up amusement park that keeps many New Mexicans locked out.”
“It is both disappointing and painfully predictable that the Governor effectively cancelled the livestock show at the State Fair,” added Senator Pirtle. “What we are seeing is further evidence that Michelle Lujan Grisham does not care about how her mandates impact our kids. The silver lining to this unfortunate outcome is that all are welcome at the true New Mexico state fair, at our youth livestock expo, September 14-17, in Roswell. Please come and show our kids their hard work is appreciated and valued.”
###
