Country Store and Daily Happy Hours Return to Albuquerque New Mexico State Fair in 2026 With Free Samples, Local Wines and Root Beer Floats

ALBUQUERQUE, NM — The New Mexico State Fair is bringing back two crowd-pleasing favorites in 2026: the Country Store and the daily Reds, Whites and Brews happy hours. Both will be set up in the Agriculture Building, where visitors can sample local flavors and browse New Mexico-made products.

The fair runs Sept. 10 through Sept. 20 at Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque. Along with food and drink, the Agriculture Building will also showcase interactive exhibits tied to agriculture education.

How the happy hours will work

The New Mexico Department of Agriculture is partnering with New Mexico Wine to host the happy hours from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. each day in the Agriculture Building courtyard. The lineup will include New Mexico-made wines, plus beer from Downshift Brewing Company, Canteen Brewhouse, Quarter Celtic Brewpub and Steel Bender Brewyard.

Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte said the Country Store and courtyard create a space to celebrate local flavors and agricultural education. His pitch to fairgoers was simple: sip, shop and explore what makes New Mexico agriculture stand out.

The setup gives visitors a built-in stop during the fair, whether they are looking for a tasting, a souvenir or just a break from the midway. The mix of drinks and exhibits is part festival, part showcase of homegrown products.

What the Country Store will sell

The Country Store, presented with locally focused retailer What’s In Store, will carry New Mexico products throughout the fair. Shoppers can also expect free samples, root beer floats and merchandise such as T-shirts and hats.

Hours for the store will run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. That schedule gives fairgoers plenty of chances to stop in before or after other attractions.

Organizers also plan gameshow-style trivia in the Agriculture Building’s south wing, along with a new New Mexico wine display. The fair’s website has more information for anyone planning a visit.

Why the Agriculture Building keeps drawing attention

The Agriculture Building has become more than a place to walk through on the way to something else. With local products, tastings, trivia and exhibits all under one roof, it is built to keep people lingering.

For fairgoers, that makes the stop feel different from a standard booth or display. It offers a way to connect New Mexico food, drink and farming traditions in one easy visit, while still leaving room for a fun fair-day snack.

That combination is part of what gives the return of the Country Store its appeal. It is a familiar feature coming back with enough variety to feel fresh, and it adds another reason to spend time inside the fairgrounds.

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