Travel News: Albuquerque Tricentennial

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Albuquerque is celebrating its 300th birthday this year, with a gala celebration April 21-23.

The weekend's events include an opera debut, "Time and Again Barelas," which is a fictionalized account of the city's history performed by the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra; a historic reenactment of the arrival of Spanish colonial settlers; a hot-air balloon launch at Balloon Fiesta Park; and a Founder's Day parade.

But the city has more to offer this spring than just the weekend party.

If you're in town earlier, check out "Picasso to Plensa: A Century of Art From Spain," through April 16 at the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History.

Art-lovers may also want to catch an exhibit of 60 modern and contemporary works of art from Mexico at the National Hispanic Cultural Center Art Museum, including works by Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, April 1-Aug. 13.

Other events taking place in Albuquerque in the near future include the "Gathering of Nations Pow Wow," April 27-29, with performances, a traders' market, food and other activities. Balloon Fiesta Park is the site of an annual wine festival, May 26-27. Founders Ranch, just east of Albuquerque, will host "End of Trail," a Wild West-themed event with gunfighter stunt shows, reenactments and other performances, June 23-25. And the Artisan Market in Old Town, and Indian Market at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, are held each Saturday and Sunday.