Question: What does "Ruidoso" mean anyway?

Answer: The name of our village derives from the Spanish word for "noisy". What's that you say ... you've been up to Ruidoso and except for a couple of weekends like Labor Day, Fourth of July and Aspenfest you believe Ruidoso New Mexico to be the "Capitol of Quiet". Well you're right ... but sit by the river during the Spring thaw or after our Summer rains and you'll see what your Spanish predecessors were thinking. The Rio Ruidoso can babble like a valley girl on seven or eight lattes ... and hence the name.

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Question: Is there a movie theater in town? What is it called I can't find any information on it anywhere if it exists.

Answer: A lazy afternoon at the matinee .. reminds me of my misspent youth ... well we'll touch on the that at some other time. Ruidoso's Sierra Cinema is our hometown one and only theater. All in all though it shows a pretty good mix of first run films at the same time they show 'em in the big towns and there always somethin' on the screen suitable for kids. The popcorn is good and buttery and the Ju-Ju beads will stick in your teeth the same way they do at home. You can check out what's playing at any given time at the Sierra Cinema web site.

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Question: How in the heck do you pronouce Ruidoso? I've heard it a million different ways I think so I'd thought I'd ask a local.

Answer: Well that's an interesting question Rick. Of course, you can't hear me speak directly but I pronounce it ree - uh - do - so. I can bet I can find a few arguments around town though as folks do tend to say it several different ways. Here a few of the more popular misspellings as well ... Riadosa, Riodosa, Rudoso, Ruidosa and Rudioso and I'm sure there are several more out there. Anyway, say it anyway you like ... you'll still be welcome here in our Mountain Cool Village.

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