Feast in the Middle East, Wine and Food Festival top things to do in El Paso
El Paso enjoys having many different cultures and this weekend, one of those communities is having a big celebration.
The Feast in the Middle East is a fun gathering for great authentic food and live music at the St. George Antiochan Orthodox Church on the West Side. If you have not entered the church, take the time to enjoy its intricate architecture.
On the other end of town, Hueco Tanks will be the site for the annual fest, which celebrates 100 years of Texas State Parks. Corn mazes remain open for family fun, from searching for a great pumpkin to getting lost with friends in a fun maze.
Here is a closer look at the weekend.
Family exhibit opens in Las Cruces
“The Amadors: Family, Culture, and Identity in Early Las Cruces” will open with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, at the Branigan Cultural Center, 501 N. Main St. The exhibit follows the Amador’s experience of Mexican families living along the U.S. side of the international boundary following the Mexican American War. It will be on view through Jan. 13, 2024.
Collidoscope exhibit on view at Rubin Center
Collidoscope: de la Torre Brothers Retro-Perspective continues its national tour at the Rubin Center for the Visual Arts at The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W. University Ave. A gallery walk through and documentary screening will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 20.
Feast in the Middle East
Enjoy the traditional eats, sights and sounds of the Feast in the Middle East Fest, beginning at 6 p.m. Oct. 21 with a dance and party. A Middle Eastern band will provide live music. Appetizers and a full bar will be available. The all-day festival with authentic foods, pastries, bar, music and church tours will be Oct. 22 at St. George Antiochan Orthodox Church, 120 N. Festival Drive. $20 food tickets are available at the church. $5 entry without a feast ticket. Information: 915-584-9100.
El Paso Wine & Food Festival
The El Paso Wine & Food Festival and a new Bubbles Brunch will host various events Oct. 19-22 at One San Jacinto Plaza Lobby, 201 E. Main St. The festival will start at 1 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
The festival starts on Thursday with a Reserve Tasting event exclusively for sponsors and media. The Trade Tasting event for restaurant and bar owners and chefs will occur Friday. This is a chance for them to taste and learn more about the wines they could pair with their menus and meet the suppliers who represent the wineries.
The Grand Tasting on Saturday will feature 500 wines worldwide, plus food from 25 of El Paso's finest restaurants. And then, on Sunday, the Bubbles Brunch will feature 12 teams from the Culinary Institute by Southwest University pairing delectable creations with sparkling and still wine and beer. The cost for the Bubbles Brunch starts at $95 plus fees.
Tickets, ranging from $95.00 - $1,250, are available at elpasowinefest.com
Hueco Tanks Fest
The 29th Annual Hueco Tanks Fest, celebrating 100 years of Texas State Parks, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 21-22 at HuecoTanks State Park and Historic Site, 6900 Hueco Tanks Road #1. It's free admission. Information: huecotanksp@tpwd.texas.gov or (915) 857-1135.
Guided tours, interactive exhibits, captivating performances and thrilling rock climbing await you against the stunning backdrop of Hueco Tanks. Information: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/hueco-tanks.
Get lost at La Union Maze
The La Union Maze continues on 45 acres of land with a 12-acre maze and pumpkin patch, more than 17 activity stations and food stands. Hours will be 5 to 9 p.m. Fridays, 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays, and 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. General admission is $12, $6 for kids ages 2-5. There is a Haunted Maze experience for an additional $12. The maze is going cashless, so use credit cards to purchase tickets online.
More: Halloween haunted houses, ghost tours and parade fun in El Paso
El Paso Maze and pumpkin patch
The El Paso's Farm Land maze is open weekends through Oct. 20 at 1100 Nuevo Tanks Blvd. Hours: 1 to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 7-8, Oct. 14-15, Oct. 21-22, and Oct. 28-29. The farmland offers a pumpkin patch, rides, food and games. Tickets available at the maze are $11.95 plus tax for ages 12 and up, $8.95 plus tax for ages 3-11, and free for ages up to 2. Active military, teachers and seniors get a discounted price, $10.95 plus tax with ID.
Mesilla Valley Maze and pumpkin patch
The Mesilla Valley Maze will be open weekends through Oct. 29 at 3855 W. Picacho Ave. in Las Cruces. Visitors can enjoy hayrides, giant slides, a country store, duck races and face painting. The Maze will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. General admission is $18, children under 12 are $15, and two and under are free. $2 military discount with ID. Visit www.mesillavalleymaze.com
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María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150, mcortes@elpasotimes.com and @EPTMaria on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Things to do in El Paso: Feast in the Middle East, Hueco Tanks Fes
