Editing Belen, New Mexico (section)

===Annual festivals and other events===
Belen is home to a number of annual cultural events, including the St. Patrick's Day Balloon Rallye on the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Summer.Ludwig |date=2023-02-07 |title=37th Annual St. Patrick's Day Balloon Rallye |url=https://www.belen-nm.gov/37th-annual-st-patricks-day-balloon-rallye/ |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=City of Belen |language=en-US}}</ref> the All-American Fourth of July<ref>{{Cite web |last=Summer.Ludwig |date=2022-06-17 |title=The All-American Celebration! |url=https://www.belen-nm.gov/the-all-american-celebration/ |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=City of Belen |language=en-US}}</ref> around July 4, Rio Abajo Days on the last Saturday in September, and the Miracle on Main Street Festival and Electric Light Parade on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

The Hispano Matanza, held annually in Belen on the last Saturday in January, is considered the world's largest matanza,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Worlds Largest Matanza {{!}} Hispano Chamber of Valencia County |url=https://www.hispanochambervc.org/ |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=hispanochambervc |language=en}}</ref> a Spanish-style barbecue that can trace its origin back to the [[conquistador]]s. This New Mexico matanza tradition, hosted by the Hispano Chamber of Valencia County, involves slaughtering and cooking 45 pigs, then serving the free food, such as [[chicharrones]], to more than 10,000 patrons. All of the proceeds are given as scholarships to local college students.

The Our Lady of Belen Fiestas, held annually in Belen during one weekend in mid-August, is an event that has been around for more than 230 years.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Editor |first=Julia M. Dendinger {{!}} News-Bulletin Assistant |date=2023-08-17 |title=Annual Our Lady of Belen Fiestas to be held this weekend |url=https://news-bulletin.com/annual-our-lady-of-belen-fiestas-to-be-held-this-weekend/ |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=Valencia County News-Bulletin |language=en-US}}</ref> The fiestas, or parties, draw thousands of people from across the state and country to Belen for religious observance, and to celebrate with a carnival. The fiestas is held around the time Valencia County's green chile is ready for harvest, making its way as garnishing the "Fiesta Burger."

Follow the Star is an annual celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and pays homage to the Christian heritage of Belen (Spanish for Bethlehem), held each December. The journey begins at Second St. and Becker Ave. in Belen's historic downtown and proceeds to Sixth St. and Becker Ave., culminating in the lighting of the Star of Bethlehem on Belen's water tower. Along the path the Christmas story is told with live characters and music by sponsoring churches.