Food, fun and Naloxone are coming to Rio Rancho this weekend.
Soberfest Rio Rancho, a community event designed to raise awareness about addiction and celebrate those on their recovery journey, will be held at Haynes Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 12.
Soberfest is a joint operation between Rio Rancho’s Desert Mountain Healing IOP, Ideal Options and Sandoval County Fire and Rescue. The free event will feature speakers sharing their recovery stories, live entertainment, a DJ, snacks, food trucks and a silent auction.
“It is mainly just a celebration for the recovery community to get together and have a good time,” Desert Mountain Healing co-founder Sean Roberts said. “We are going to have lots of things for the public to do.”
Donations will be taken at Soberfest with all proceeds going to Recovery NM, a nonprofit founded by Roberts and Gary Gamboa.
“Recovery NM raises money for New Mexico residents who struggle with substance abuse to receive scholarships to attend the substance abuse treatment center of their choice in New Mexico,” Roberts said.
The event also aims to prioritize health and safety with Naloxone distribution. Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids — including heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioid medications.