2016 Convention – information & sign-up docs
The 24th Annual ICCC Convention will be held in Las Cruces, NM, June 23-25, 2016, at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum http://www.nmfarmandranchmuseum.org/ and the accommodations will be at the Ramada Palms Hotel, www.ramadalascruces.com when making reservations please tell them you are with the Coleman Convention. There is not any tent camping in the area. There are a couple of recommended RV parks, for camping with air conditioned units.
Las Cruces was established in 1849, as part of the New Mexico Territory, long before New Mexico became the 47thstate. New Mexico is the 5th largest state in land area, 121,000 acres, with Las Cruces near the southern, central border, near Texas and also Mexico.
El Paso, TX, the nearest large city, is the closest regional airport http://www.elpasointernationalairport.com for commercial transportation and it is also serviced by Amtrak. http://www.amtrak.com/home
Las Cruces has an approximate elevation of 3900 feet above sea level and it sits in the midst of the agriculturally rich, Rio Grande Valley. It is bordered on the east by the Organ Mountains which became the center of the Organ Mountain Desert Peaks National Monument, http://www.organmountains.org/ in 2014.
The Town of Mesilla, or Old Mesilla as it is often referred to, borders Las Cruces. It has maintained the town plaza which is surrounded on all sides with many old buildings, several of which are historic adobe buildings that have become shops and restaurants over time. Some of these buildings were frequented by Billy the Kid. There will be a Friday morning excursion to Mesilla to shop, enjoy the Plaza and to have lunch in one of the historic adobe buildings.
Las Cruces has a lively Farmers Market in the heart of the old downtown on Saturday mornings, this will be a Saturday morning excursion for the ladies. There is fresh produce and unique handmade arts and crafts. COAS, http://www.coasbooks.com/ is a large used book store in the downtown with several thousands of volumes. There are also a few small museums http://museums.las-cruces.org as well as some restaurants. Las Cruces also has several venues for the Performing and Cultural Arts. http://www.lascrucescvb.org/explore/arts/performing-arts/
There are several outdoor activity areas in and near Las Cruces. In the summer these are best enjoyed in the early morning and in the evening hours. The museum is on the way to the Dripping Springs Recreation Area, where there are nature trails and sometimes even a waterfall and the A- Mountain which has hike/bike trails. The back side of the mountain is home to the Aguirre Springs Recreation area and trails.
Because of the sheer size of New Mexico, there are many things to do, http://www.meetlascruces.com/Day-Trips-Around-Las-Cruces.html but some take a bit of a drive. Situated about 60 miles East is the White Sands National Monument, http://www.lascrucescvb.org/explore/white-sands- national-monument/ near Alamogordo. Alamogordo is the home of Holloman Air Force Base and also the Air and Space Museum. It is the gateway to the mountain communities (elevations approx. 8000 feet) of Ruidoso and Cloudcroft, and on the way to Roswell and Carlsbad Caverns.
Travelling to the North of Las Cruces on I-25 you can go to the Fort Seldon State Monument, Hatch, Chile Capital of the World, Truth or Consequences, which was formerly called Hot Springs, because there are several indoor and outdoor springs still active, Elephant Butte Reservoir, Socorro, which is near the Very Large Array and continuing on Albuquerque is a 3.5 hour drive and Santa Fe is a 4.5 hour drive, staying on I-25 the Colorado border is about 7 hours.
Travelling to the West on I-10, the first stop is Deming, approx 45 miles away. It is the home of Rockhound State Park, a gateway to Columbus, NM which is an international crossing into Palomas, Mexico, continuing on I-10, Tucson would be another 3 hours and Phoenix and additional 2 hours. Turning North out of Deming about 25 miles is the City of Rocks State Park, and staying on hwy 180 another 20 miles is the Silver City, approx 90 miles from Las Cruces, a historic mining town, situated between three copper mines. Silver City has a charming downtown area with shops and restaurants, located in the high desert, approx 5000 – 6000 feet in elevation. It is also near the Gila Cliff Dwellings, the Catwalk and HWY 180 continues to Arizona.
Click and download the Registration Form
Note: You must be a current ICCC member to sign up for the convention and to be admitted on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. Nonmembers are welcome to visit the convention beginning Friday at noon.
Click to see the list of Paid Attendees.
Program:
International Coleman Collectors Club Annual Convention
New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum, Las Cruces, NM
June 23-25, 2016
Hotel accommodations are at the Ramada Palms Hotel, 201 E. University Ave. 575-526-4411
Wednesday, June 22
For early arrivals Dinner at Los Mariachi’s Restaurant, 754 N. Motel Blvd. A room will be reserved for all to dine together dinner is on your own.
Thursday, June 23
9:00am -1:00 pm Set up for display and vendor tables
1:00pm – 4:30 Show opens to ICCC Members
6:00pm, at The Game Restaurant, 2605 S. Espina St (1/4 block N. of University) There will be a group reservation; dinner is on your own.
Friday, June 24
9:00am – 4:30 Show opens to club members
9:30am Ladies Day and lunch in Historic Old Mesilla
10:00- 11:00am #1 Seminar presentation TBA
12:00pm Show open to the public
1:00 -2:00pm #2 Seminar presentation TBA
2:30 -3:30pm # 3 Seminar presentation TBA
4:30pm Meeting room closes – Take your light up appliances with you as you leave
5:30pm Group Photo
6:00 Banquet and business meeting at New Mexico Farm and Ranch Museum
9:00 pm (approx) Light up
Saturday, 25
9:00am – 1:00pm Show opens to members and public
1:00pm Show tear down and auction set up. Deadline for listing auction items.
3:00 – 5:00 Auction
5:00 – 6:00 Pack up till next year.
Local Attractions:
Land of Billy the Kid, Mesilla, New Mexico