Business professor and students assist with La Callejoneda

Dec. 6, 2008 by David Boje Original David Boje videos

Mike Beckett taking photo of La Callejoneada event in front of Coas Book store. Mike says, "I have opened for evening events before. La Callejoneda brought in more business than in the entire history of the store!" (photo by David Boje)

Professor Boje and students from his Small Business Consulting Classes  helped Downtown Las Cruces organize “La Callejoneda,” a Street Party on Dec. 5, 2008.

Hundreds of residents turned out for the strolling Mariachi and Folklorico dancers.

The purpose of the project was to bring customers into the downtown “Arts Scene.” Ken Miyagishima, Mayor of Las Cruces, lit the Christmas tree at the north end of the Downtown Mall.

The shops stayed open and vendors set up food tables and made Kettle Korn for the crowds. Students were assisted by local businesses who generously donated to finance the event. Contributors included Coa’s My Bookstore, Central Loan Co., Big Picture Digital Image Lab & Street Gallery, Mark D’Antonio Law Firm and Be Young Hair Salon.

Our thanks to students of the Business College: Rocio Gamboa, Liana Velasquez, Erika Jaquez, Bader Almutairi, and Ayman Ghunaim for their energy, enthusiasm and dedication to making this project happen.

Media coverage for the event extended beyond Las Cruces to El Paso, Texas. The students facilitated the Economic and Government task force, as part of the 2008 Arts Convention, working on their project from September to December 2008.

ARTS SCENE Las Cruces, NM: La Callejoneada Video 1

ARTS SCENE Las Cruces/Mesilla Valley, NM: La Callejoneada Video 2