Halloween, Día de los Muertos fans are in for a treat this weekend in the El Paso area
Get ready for a weekend full of spooky Halloween fun and Día de los Muertos commemorations as celebrations take over the Borderland.
Socorro hosts Fright Farm
The community of Socorro will have its Fright Farm, a free Halloween event, from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday at the Rio Vista Community Center, 901 N. Rio Vista Road. There will be costume contests, trunk or treat, face painting, jumping balloons, obstacle courses, food and drink vendors, and live entertainment. Information: 915-860-8615.
Halloween at The Fountains at Farah
The Fountains at Farah will have a Halloween-themed Art and Farmers Market event from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday. Shoppers are encouraged to have their kids in costumes.
Arts and culture unite for city of El Paso celebration
Borderland residents will find a variety of ways to enjoy the El Paso Museums & Cultural Affairs Department’s Día de los Muertos celebration.
The fun begins Thursday at the El Paso Museum of History, 510 N. Santa Fe St., where a free mezcal tasting for adults 21 and older will be from 6 to 8 p.m. as part of Last Thursdays. First come, first served, so get in line early.
From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, celebrate the día with family-oriented activities, food, live music and more. Be sure to get a prime viewing spot for the parade featuring marionettes, alebrijes (brightly colored Mexican folk art fantasy creatures) and Oaxacan Tehuantepec-themed parade floats. The parade, which always draws a crowd that lines up to see the Day of the Dead-painted participants, will start at 4 p.m. on Santa Fe Street.
Drop-in activities will include Skeleton Wands and Giant Calaveras from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., presented by the El Paso Museum of Archaeology at the El Paso Museum of Art, 1 Arts Festival Plaza.
There will be alebrije mask painting at the art museum from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. From noon to 6 p.m., view the Sand Art of Oaxaca at the El Paso Museum of History, 510 N. Santa Fe St., with a Sugar Skull Workshop from 1 to 3 p.m.
Día de los Muertos Printmaking will be from noon to 6 p.m., and Deserto Pop-Up Pizzeria with special Día de los Muertos pizza will be available from 1 to 6 p.m.
Las Cuatro Lunas will be selling red clay artwork from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The Downtown Art & Farmers Market on Saturday will feature food trucks on East Main Street next to San Jacinto Plaza from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., with vendors at East Main Street in the Coffee Box parking lot from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Check out the art museum’s community altar at Arts Festival Plaza, the altar competition at C2 Gallery, large catrina dolls in the museum and take a selfie wall with a life-size catrina, an elegantly dressed skeleton.
The El Paso Museum of History will feature a pop-up exhibition with art by painter Sonya Fe in the Community Gallery, with a display of traditional Oaxacan garments and an altar.
You also can take part in the DIGIE Wall Community Altar.
Artspace El Paso Lofts, 601 N. Oregon St., will feature the Esqueletos y Escaleras: Día de los Muertos Art Showcase from noon to 9 p.m.
The streetcar will feature extended hours beginning at 11 a.m., with La Calaca Maldonado at 6 p.m. and Ride with DJ Rockmore from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
And while you’re at it, don’t be scared! Get your free flu shots inside the El Paso Museum of Art during the celebration.
There also will be plenty of other entertainment options.
The San Jacinto Plaza Stage lineup is:
· 11 to 11:45 a.m.: Rodriga Rockmore
· Noon to 12:45 p.m.: Trillo
· 1 to 1:30 p.m.: Camino Real Folklorico
· 1:45 to 2:30 p.m.: Melancholy 10
· 3 to 3:45 p.m.: Cuauhutli Folklorico & Mariachi Los Arrieros
· 4-5 p.m.: Parade break!
· 4 to 4:45 p.m.: 12 Inch Spins
· 5 to 5:45 p.m.: Souldies EP
· 6 to 6:45 p.m.: Drag of the Dead
· 7 to 7:45 p.m. Souldies EP
· 8 to 8:45 p.m.: Mariachi Los Torritos
In Arts Festival Plaza, next to the El Paso Museum of Art, from 2 to 2:40 p.m. you’ll find Matachines Maria Guadalupe and from 5:15 to 6 p.m. the Samba Drummers.
Afterward, hit the DeadBeach Brewery after-party at 9 p.m.
Firefighters offer safe, spooky fun
El Paso firefighters come to the rescue of candy lovers Saturday by joining with local organizations for the 2022 Sparky’s Spooktaculary Safe Halloween at the Fire Department’s Safety, Health, and Outreach Center located at 5415 Trowbridge Drive.
From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., families can meet firefighters and police officers, collect candy and receive free safety reflective wristbands.
Learning sessions will offer information on:
· How to stay safe when trick or treating
· How to safely evacuate from the inflatable smoke house
· How to avoid fires when decorating for the holidays.
Costumes are encouraged.
For more information about the Fire Department, visit elpasofire.org.
Trunk or Treat Ofrenda
From noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, join Jane & Jensen Nostalgia Shop, 2218 E. Mills Ave., forA Trunk or Treat Ofrenda for Día de los Muertos. There will be free café de olla and pan de muerto whiles supplies last. Costumes are encouraged. There will be trunk or treating. A community altar will be built for the photos of loved ones who have passed on.
Boos and Brews in Socorro
Starting at 7 p.m. Saturday, sip specialty beers at Boos and Brews at Three Missions Brewery, 10179 Socorro Road in Socorro.
Get a taste of Oaxaca at DeadBeach Brewery
Starting at 11 a.m. Saturday, enjoy craft beer and a Oaxacan-inspired food menu at DeadBeach Brewery’s Día de los Muertos observation at 406 S. Durango St.
Halloween happenings at Moonlight Adobe Hall
Moonlight Adobe Hall will hold its Halloween Eve Sunday indoor and outdoor mARTket from 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Hacienda Apodaca, 10180 Socorro Road, in Socorro. There will be a live musical performance from 6 to 7 p.m. by Tale of Giants inside the historic hall, with Cabina eLe Pe spinning vinyl outside in the courtyard. Thirty-five vendors have been confirmed. There will be unique handmade gifts for the upcoming holidays and the opportunity to support local artisans and small businesses.
Bring the family, including your pups. Costumes are encouraged and candy will be handed out to trick-or-treaters. While you're there, check out what might be the only big saguaro cactus in the El Paso area and stop by Mystic Desert Studio, the mesmerizing art space highlighting the work of El Paso artist Gabriel Marquez.
Carnivals, costume contests at El Paso community centers
The city of El Paso Parks and Recreation Department is welcoming residents to the annual Halloween Carnivals at several recreation centers Monday.
“Our popular Halloween Carnivals are back again this year and we couldn’t be more excited,” Cultural Affairs and Recreation Managing Director Ben Fyffe said in a news release. “Our staff is getting ready planning safe and fun Halloween activities for the whole family that includes everyone’s favorite: trick-or-treating.”
The free carnivals will feature jumping balloons, carnival games, candy and treats. Parents are encouraged to bring their children dressed in costumes to participate in costume contests.
Halloween Carnivals will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. at the following locations:
· The Beast Urban Park, 13501 Jason Crandall Drive
· Chamizal Recreation Center, 2119 Cypress Ave.
· Don Haskins Recreation Center, 7400 High Ridge Drive
· Galatzan Recreation Center, 650 Wallenberg Drive
· Gary Del Palacio Recreation Center, 3001 Parkwood St.
· Marty Robbins Recreation Center, 11600 Vistal Del Sol Drive
· Mountain View Park/Rae Gilmore Recreation Center, 8501 Diana Drive
· Officer David Ortiz Recreation Center, 563 N. Carolina Drive
· Seville Recreation Center, 6700 Sambrano Ave.
· Sylvia A. Carreon Community Center, 701 Lomita Drive
· Valle Bajo Recreation Center, 7380 Alameda Ave.
· Veterans Recreation Center, 5301 Salem Drive
Candy donations for the Halloween Carnivals are being accepted and can be dropped off at any neighborhood recreation center. Candy and chocolate must be individually wrapped.
For more information on the Halloween Carnivals and the El Paso Parks and Recreation Department, visit www.elpasotexas.gov/parks.
Get scared at the KLAQ Haunted House
The Haunted Houses of Terror and 95.5 FM-KLAQ are ready to scare visitors at the Haunted House with two themes: Resident Evil and the Devil's Asylum. In Resident Evil, it's all about survival as people make their way through a maze with an Orbeez gel gun. Haunted house operating hours: 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday, 7 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, and 7 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Oct. 31. General admission tickets: $25. Student Discount Night on Thursday with a school ID.
Pick a pumpkin at a patch
Beth El Bible Church, 6440 Montana Ave., is having a variety of events to celebrate Halloween. The Pumpkin Patch will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Spooky Moon Festival
The Spooky Moon Festival will be from noon to 2 a.m. Saturday at Ascarate Park. The festival will feature an EDM lineup, a special drone show and more. Tickets are $79.99, plus tax, available at eventbrite.com Use promo code elpasotimes to get 10% off.
Haunting of Concordia Tour
Brave souls are invited to a special ghost tour of one of the most haunted cities of the dead, Concordia Cemetery, 3700 Yandell Drive, on Saturday. The tour will be from 7 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $20, excluding fees, available at Eventbrite.com.
Halloween Brunch
The Manor at Ten Eleven will transform its dining area into a spooky experience for a fun Halloween brunch, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at 1011 N. Mesa St. Unlimited buffet. Costumes welcomed and encouraged for costume contest. Tickets range from $19.95 to $39.95, available at https://bit.ly/3RyWLNF
1st Ave. Artisan Market haunted house
The 1st Ave. Artisan Market is teaming up with a haunted house, "Dungeons and Clown Tour 2022." El Pasoans are invited to shop, enjoy food trucks and have fun with El Paso vendors and a Kids Korner. Attend the event from 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday at 798 First Ave.
KLAQ Halloween Parade
One Source Federal Credit Union will present the KLAQ Halloween Parade on Monday at Eastwood (Album) Park. The crew from the Buzz Adams Morning Show will be on their own float. There will be many participants. The parade will start at 3:30 p.m. The parade lasts about an hour and the route is 1.9 miles.
Día de los Muertos parade in Juárez
Wrap up day of the Dead commemorations with a parade in Juárez, starting at 5 p.m. Tuesday. The route starts at 16 de Septiembre and Americas and ends at 6 p.m. at Paseo Juan Gabriel. It will feature charros, escaramuza charras, Bravos Y Bravas del FC Juarez, luchadores, floats, giant puppets, pan de muerto, altars and food. Xoloitzcuintle hairless dogs will be on hand to guide souls.
María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150; mcortes@elpasotimes.com, @EPTMaria on Twitter; eptmariacg on TikTok.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Halloween, Día de los Muertos fans are in for a treat this weekend
