Ruidoso, NM — October 28, 2025
The line stretched out the door of the Ruidoso Convention Center just before 5 p.m. on October 28 as residents arrived for the Rotary Club of Ruidoso's 50th Anniversary Enchilada Dinner and Bingo Night. By the time the last bingo number was called, the club had served more than 20,000 handmade enchiladas to around 600 people and raised over $14,000 for scholarships—a new record for the beloved community event.
"We're about to sell our last enchilada tray," said Rotary President Gavin Bigger as the final plates were served. "We have about three trays left, so we won't be doing seconds tonight. We started bingo about 20 minutes late to accommodate people still in line."
A Community Coming Together
For a community that has weathered fires and floods over the past two years, the dinner represented more than just fundraising. It was a moment of collective resilience and connection.
"This is just a lot of fun," Bigger said. "Residents show up, eat and play. We have a lot of good people walking around and visiting, and there is a lot of camaraderie. But at the same time, the community is full of people who are actively trying to help their fellow locals. Everybody here is doing a big part in helping Lincoln County kids."
The funds raised go directly to scholarships for Lincoln County high school students pursuing college education, continuing a tradition of investment in local youth that spans five decades.
From Scratch to Service
Pulling off an event this size requires the entire club. Planning begins two months in advance, with every member taking on specific responsibilities from securing sponsorships to cooking, serving, and cleanup.
"We always name a 'head enchilada' to keep us all straight and be the overseer," Bigger explained. "But everybody has a job. Everybody is here doing something."
On the morning of the event, teams gather at the Convention Center to make all 20,000 enchiladas by hand from scratch. The club partners with food suppliers to get ingredients in bulk, but nothing arrives pre-made. It's an all-hands operation that includes ticket sales, bingo coordination, promotions, and ensuring attendees get real value for their money.
Five Decades of Tradition
The Enchilada Dinner and Bingo Night began in 1975 at the Elks Club and Ruidoso High School before moving to its current home at the Convention Center. The event now runs twice annually, with bingo added later to increase both excitement and scholarship revenue.
For many attendees, it's become the social event of the year. Duchess Casler attended with her friends Antoinette and Chris Rosas, who have been coming for about seven years.
"We call it the social event of the year," Antoinette Rosas said. "There's not many activities like this in Ruidoso throughout the year and it's for a good cause."
Becky Johns, another Ruidoso resident, praised both the food and the atmosphere. "The food is really good, and it's just a fun night out," she said. "The bingo is also fun."
The Grand Prize
The final bingo game brings the biggest anticipation of the night, with $500 on the line for the first blackout—filling an entire bingo card. As local disc jockey and Ruidoso Downs head of marketing Tim Keithley called each number, the room fell silent as players scanned their cards.
This year, two winners split the $500 prize, with Mario Bazan taking home $250. It was his third year attending the dinner, and while he'd won before, the grand prize was especially sweet.
"She really likes it, it's going to her," he said, laughing and pointing to his wife. "It's enjoyable. Just excitement and you get lucky sometimes."
Over its 50-year history, the Enchilada Dinner and Bingo Night has supported countless Lincoln County students in their pursuit of higher education—a testament to what a community can accomplish when it gathers around a shared meal and a shared purpose.
Contact: For more information about the Rotary Club of Ruidoso or their scholarship program, contact Sean Chaffin at seanchaffin@sbcglobal.net or 575-686-8796.