DEMING – A full slate of premiere live acts will fill this weekend during the 40th annual Great American Duck Race, Aug. 23-25 at McKinley Duck Downs in Deming, NM. Luna County Courthouse Park is transformed once a year in to McKinley Duck Downs in memory of Deming Policeman and GADR artist Bill McKinley, Bill was the original cartoonist who was responsible for many of the duck race logos that were printed on t-shirts and have become collectibles through the years. He passed away in 1998.
The upcoming weekend will feature live duck race on wet and dry tracks, horseshoe, washers and corn hole tournaments, the Deming MainStreet Great American Tortilla Toss, Mizkan America Duck Royalty Pageant, Solitaire Homes Hot Air Balloon mass ascension, Busy Bee Septic Outhouse Race, Columbus Electric Co-operative Tournament of Duck Parade and the Duck Mall (vendor’s mart).
Capital Power is sponsoring this year’s live entertainment pavilion, and the music kick’s off with the Illusion Band from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday. The band is from Grant County, NM and they will bring popular classic rock tunes and a mix of Mexican ballads and corridas.
Anselmo Real, “The One-Man Band,” takes the stage from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Capital Power Entertainment Pavilion. Anselmo blends his soft song stylings with his personal music maker to keep the audience top-tapping and hand clapping.
Lincoln’s Lie brings power rock and a return to the ’80’s hair bands from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday evening. This group is the unofficial house band at the Adobe Deli Steakhouse and Saloon located on Lewis Flats Road, 10 miles east of Deming on the Old Las Cruces Highway (NM 549).
The spotlight will drop on the Luna Star Dance Studio from 6 to 6:45 p.m. on Saturday.
Unlyshed will headline Saturday’s live entertainment from 7 to 10 p.m. This performance is billed as the “Last Duck Standing After-Party,” sponsored by Deming MainStreet Program.
Unlyshed of Las Cruces, NM, brings a variety of hits, from top 40, to traditional ballads, and rock classics.
The popular show band Caliente has built a reputation across southwestern New Mexico with a tight horn section, rhythm team and a wide range of vocals by home-grown lead singer Michael Otero. This show should not be missed from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Cautivo Norteño will close the Capital Power Entertainment Pavilion from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday. They are expected to bring down the house.
The GADR Committee reminds the audience to enjoy your favorite beers and wines at the Circle F Construction Beer and Wine Garden served by the staff of D.H. Lescombes. The garden will be located next to the entertainment pavilion.
Bill Armenhdariz can be reached at 575-546-2611 (ext. 2606) or [email protected].
Capital Power Entertainment
Friday
6 to 9 p.m.: The Illusion Band
Saturday
1 to 2:30 p.m.: Anselmo Real’s “One-Man Band”
3 to 6 p.m.: Lincoln’s Lie
6 to 6:45 p.m.: Luna Star Dance Studio
7 to 10 p.m.: Unlyshed, courtesy of the Last Duck Standing After-Party sponsored by Deming MainStreet Program.
Sunday
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Caliente, Southwestern New Mexico Show Band
3 to 6 p.m.: Cautivo Norteño