Anthony Barrera picked up his first fishing pole 30 years ago while growing up in Artesia. He enjoyed fishing along the banks of the Pecos River but he wanted more – he yearned to fish in places he couldn’t get to by walking.

Artesia’s Baylee Denison didn’t have much time to bask in her new role as Eddy County Fair Queen after claiming the crown from outgoing queen Taylor Salter.

 Self-denial is the call of Christ. He modeled it in his short life here in the world and He called all who would dare follow Him to deny self.

Kyle Bean, a junior at Artesia High School, is more than just a football player.

Colton Sandmann, a 15-year-old freshman at Artesia Junior High School, helps raise lambs and shows market lambs.

The winner of the 80th annual Eddy County Fair Chili Cook-Off was Lance Moore of Barrelhead Cookers.

Councilors voted 5-0 to approve the job description.

The Southwest New Mexico’s region’s food heritage began with the Ancestral Puebloans, who grew the “Three Sisters” crops—corn, beans, and squash—long before European contact. The Spanish arrived in the late 1500s, bringing livestock, fruit trees, garlic, and the now-iconic chile pepper. Under Mexican rule in the early 1800s, tortillas, tamales, and enchiladas became widespread. After U.S. annexation, Anglo traditions introduced flour and new baking techniques, but the core Southwest New Mexican flavors remained intact.

Students squared off in a variety of competitions hosted by the Eddy County Fair.

Here are the livestock competition results from the Eddy County Fair.

Artesia Daily Press 

The grandstands were packed at the 80th annual Eddy County Fair as rodeo fans watched bull rider Noah Lee.