If you’re attending the Friday and Saturday events at Magers Field, the fiesta’s expansive merchandise booth is open both days but is less busy on Friday. The fiesta swag is always well-designed, with shirts, hoodies, caps, bucket hats, and more. This booth is also where you can pick up a “wine yoke,” the around-the-neck glass harness that seems dorky until you experience how functional it is. It leaves your hands free for eating and wildly gesturing about your favorite wines and dishes. Featured artist Robert Striffolino will be on hand, too, signing this year’s poster.

This is also an opportunity to set aside the Grand Crus for a few hours to enjoy something more novel (and local), perhaps Gruet’s sparkler spritzed with chile essence or Noisy Water Winery’s green chile wine. You also have the option of taking a wine break in favor of trying the top-flight margaritas or the event’s full assortment of local craft beers, including local favorites Chile Line and Hidden Mountain.

To pace yourself, take a seat for a bit and observe one of the demos, from a discussion of chile’s history to a beer and grilled cheese pairing, or just enjoy the event’s music provided by JJ & the Hooligans. If you stick around, it’s pretty likely that James Beard Award-winning chef Fernando Olea of Sazón will burst into song.

Noon to 3 p.m. today, September 29. Tickets cost $100. Magers Field at Fort Marcy Park, 490 Bishops Lodge Road.

THE GRAND TASTING

To avoid some of the crowd, start at the farthest out of the eight circus-size tents away from the entrance and work back toward the front. On average, you’ll pass five wine vendors for every food vendor. Executive Director Mary Hallahan recommends looking for some of the genuine wine personalities who will be present, like Kirk Lokka, vineyard manager for Emeritus Vineyards; Thibaut Marquis of Louis Jadot/château des Jacques; and Vint’s Master of Wine Adam Lapierre. Cakebread Cellars is this year’s Winery of the Year, and Laura Webb, its vice president of sales and marketing, will be at its booth. Cakebread is regarded for its single vineyard Napa Cabernet Sauvignons. I’m a fan of Tablas Creek Vineyard’s Rhone-style wines, so I always go by to see rep Darren Delmore and taste whatever he’s pouring. Stop by the booths of top importers such as Wilson Daniels and Frederick Wildman and Sons to try a variety of wines from their portfolios.

The bad news is that several of the restaurants with big reputations are taking a break from this year’s big event. You won’t be able to stand in a long line for a tidbit from The Compound, Geronimo, or Restaurant Martín. The upside, though, is that you’ll have more room to fill up on goodies from Coyote Café, Santacafe, Horno, Izanami, Joseph’s Culinary Pub, Market Steer Steakhouse, purveyors of premium meats Beck & Bulow, and your choice of more than 50 other restaurants.

Never been able to score a reservation at Sazón or its sister restaurant, Sassella? Here’s your chance. Haven’t yet checked out Dakota Weiss’s Catch Poke? Try it now. Hue-chan Karels’ Asian stand-out Alkeme makes its first appearance, too. Be among the first to get a preview of Fernando Ruiz’s Escondido prior to his opening early next year. Rio Chama’s new chef Tony Smith will be planning to dazzle. Look to the fancier hotels like the Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi, Four Seasons Rancho Encantado, Hilton Buffalo Thunder, and Bishop’s Lodge for some extra-ambitious dishes, which are offered in small portions meant for nibbling. Even the most humble of restaurants bring their A games to the Grand Tasting.

People-watching here is almost as entertaining as eating and drinking, so be sure to look up for your glass and gaze around while listening to the lively Latin sounds of Manzanares. If you pace yourself, it makes a splendid afternoon of celebrating the best of Santa Fe.

Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, September 30. Tickets cost $190. Magers Field at Fort Marcy Park, 490 Bishops Lodge Road. Find more information about the Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta at santafewineandchile.org.