Pancho Villa State Park Hosts Annual Camp Furlong Day

Event commemorates 1916 raid on Columbus, New Mexico

Mar. 14, 2026 at 12:00am

Pancho Villa State Park in Columbus, New Mexico will host its annual Camp Furlong Day on Saturday, March 14, 2026. The event commemorates the 1916 raid by Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa on the Village of Columbus, an event that shaped military strategy, border relations, and life in southern New Mexico for generations.

Why it matters

The Camp Furlong Day event is part of the larger Cabalgata Fiesta de Amistad, an annual celebration of the complex history between the U.S. and Mexico along the border region. The 1916 raid was a pivotal moment that highlighted tensions and led to increased military presence, impacting the local community for decades.

The details

Camp Furlong Day offers visitors the opportunity to explore the site where the 1916 raid took place, learning about the history and legacy of the event. The day-long celebration features educational programs, historical reenactments, and cultural activities that bring this important moment in history to life.

  • Camp Furlong Day is held annually on March 14, near the anniversary of the March 9, 1916 raid.

The players

Pancho Villa State Park

A New Mexico state park that preserves the site of the 1916 raid on the Village of Columbus by Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa.

Village of Columbus

The small border town in southern New Mexico that was the site of Pancho Villa's 1916 raid, an event that shaped the region's history.

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The takeaway

The annual Camp Furlong Day event at Pancho Villa State Park provides an opportunity for visitors to engage with the complex history of the U.S.-Mexico border region, honoring the legacy of the 1916 raid while promoting cross-cultural understanding and appreciation.