In the heart of Albuquerque, a vibrant celebration of female strength and community spirit blooms annually: the Rio Bravo Annual Women’s Festival.
Spearheaded by Jenny Baker and her sisters, this event has quickly become a cornerstone for local women, offering a space for connection, empowerment, and support.
“A few years ago, my sisters and I were brainstorming a fun event for women’s month that would benefit the community and women in business,” Baker explains. “We didn’t know exactly what we wanted the event to be at first, but we kept going back to the idea of empowering women.” This simple desire to uplift and connect has since blossomed into a thriving festival that continues to evolve.
Growth and Evolution:
From its humble beginnings, the festival has seen remarkable growth. “The festival grew substantially from year one to year two,” Baker notes. “First year we had vendors but only focused on one organization. We doubled vendors and had over 10 organizations by the second year. Going into year three we’ve aimed towards a better balance between the vendor market and focus on local organizations.” This strategic evolution reflects a commitment to both supporting local businesses and amplifying the impact of community organizations.
Mission and Purpose:
At its core, the Rio Bravo Women’s Festival is about bringing women together. “The main objective of the women’s festival is to bring the beautiful energy of women together,” Baker emphasizes. “Whether you are there to network, promote your business, learn, shop, sell, dance, listen, eat, drink, or just take it all in, it’s an opportunity to feel empowered.”
This emphasis on empowerment stems from Baker’s own experiences. “I’ve grown up surrounded by incredibly strong women and through them I have been able to overcome and succeed more than I ever thought possible,” she shares. “I think it’s crucial to build a community that acknowledges the power of women coming together and create more opportunities for them to do so.”
What to Expect:
This year’s festival promises a dynamic experience. Attendees can look forward to browsing and supporting around 30 local vendors, enjoying live music from Kari Simmons & the Groove Line and Ukuladies, and hearing from various local organizations about their programs and how to get involved. Food and drinks will be available, and a raffle for a hot air balloon ride will benefit the New Mexico Dream Center.
“We will have about 30 local vendors throughout the brewery for shopping and supporting women in business,” Baker says. “At 2pm everyone will get to hear from a few different organizations givinginsight into their programs and how to get involved. On top of that there will of course be food and drinks. We even have a raffle going for a chance to win a free hot air balloon ride with proceeds going to the event’s beneficiary, New Mexico Dream Center.”
Overcoming Challenges and Looking Ahead:
Organizing a women-focused event isn’t without its challenges. “I think the biggest challenge in hosting a women-focused event is getting men to understand they are invited too!” Baker admits. “Although we strongly lean into women coming together, I think it’s equally important that women see men’s support as well. We have done our best to stress that everyone is invited.”
Despite these hurdles, the festival has created memorable moments. One such moment involved a spontaneous Easter bunny appearance. “This is a random one but last year the event happened to be the day before Easter,” Baker recalls. “For some reason and I couldn’t tell you why, we had an Easter bunny costume at the brewery. During the event, my sister put on the costume and hopped around for almost an hour. Everyone loved it especially the kiddos (who are invited to the event as well).”
Looking to the future, Baker envisions expanding the festival with workshops, more entertainment, and increased community involvement. “Possibly workshops for the attendees and more entertainment,” she says. “I would love to see it keep growing and incorporate new opportunities for the community to get involved. We’ve raised funds for multiple local nonprofits with this event and hope to be even more impactful in the future.”
Ultimately, Baker hopes attendees leave feeling “inspiration and empowerment.” With its commitment to community, empowerment, and celebration, the Rio Bravo Annual Women’s Festival is poised to continue its positive impact for years to come.
Check out Rio Bravo’s Third Annual Women’s Festival, Saturday March 15th, 12-5pm, at 1912 2nd St NW 87102
Article By ABQLive Staff
Photos Courtesy of Rio Bravo
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Take a look at Women’s Fest from last year at this gallery: https://abq-live.com/womens-fest-rio-bravo-brewing-co-03-30-24/
