Community Day and Water Safety Fair Launches at Storrie Lake State Park 

Family-friendly safety demonstrations and activities kick off National Safe Boating Week  

LAS VEGAS, N.M. – Families are invited to Storrie Lake State Park on May 17 for the first-ever Community Day and Water Safety Fair featuring hands-on safety activities, demonstrations and outdoor fun for all ages.  

The event helps promote National Safe Boating Week, May 16-22, the official launch of the 2026 Safe Boating Campaign. This yearlong campaign promotes the value of voluntary, consistent life jacket wear by recreational boaters.  

Highlights include fire and police truck displays; kids’ crafts such as recycled fish kites or seed balls with park staff, and free life jackets and goggles for children while supplies last. Food trucks will be on site and the park’s day-use fees will be waived. Storrie Lake State Park is located 3.5 miles north of Las Vegas on Highway 518. 

“Your New Mexico State Parks are essential for driving local economies, fostering public safety, and promoting use and stewardship of natural and cultural resources,” said Toby Velásquez, State Parks Division Director. “We are happy to partner with these outstanding agencies and organizations to offer education and provide no cost family-oriented platforms that connect communities with outdoor recreation.” 

U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that drowning was the reported cause of death in three out of every four recreational boating fatalities in 2024, and that 87 percent of those who drowned were not wearing life jackets. 

New life jackets are much more comfortable, lightweight, and stylish than the bulky orange style most boaters know. There are innovative options, such as inflatable life jackets, allowing mobility and flexibility for activities like boating, fishing, paddling or hunting, and are much cooler in the warmer weather. 

Sunday’s event is hosted by the New Mexico State Parks Division in partnership with the New Mexico Boating Safety Program, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, New Mexico Department of Wildlife, Gallinas Fire Department, Hermit’s Peak Watershed Alliance and El Centro Family Health. 

For more information, please visit safeboatingcampaign.com or emnrd.nm.gov/spd/activities/boating/