Kumbiapalooza at Western Playland, Shakespeare Festival among things to do in El Paso
Under its new ownership, Western Playland is adding new features such as its first Kumbiapalooza concert this weekend.
The Shakespeare Festival returns to Madeline Park on the West Side with a fun family-friendly adaptation of Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night." The production, co-adapted by directed by Jay Stattron, is bilingual.
The Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta returns to the El Paso Zoo this weekend. And then next weekend, some fun festivals begin including the Oktoberfest at an authentic German Restaurant and the Apple Festival in New Mexico.
Here is a closer look at events in the El Paso area.
Western Playland has Kumbiapalooza
Western Playland will have its first Kumbiapalooza concert, featuring DJ Kane, Sept. 23. Kane is the ex-vocalist of the original Kumbia Kings and will be singing all the Kumbia Kings hits. Special guests Erick Y Su Grupo Massore and Los Gran Reyes will also perform. The event will feature live music, food, a beer garden and family fun. Gates will open at 5 p.m.; the show will start at 7 p.m. Tickets are available online for only $34.95, which includes all the rides. https://orders.westernplayland.com
Shakespeare returns to Madeline Park
The Madeline Park Shakespeare Festival returns to the Kern Place neighborhood with performances Friday and Saturday, Sept. 22-23 and Sept. 29-30 at 900 E. Baltimore Drive. The festival kicks off with the family-friendly market at 6 p.m. It features vendors selling a variety of crafts, including vintage clothing, tinctures, teas and plants. Free admission. Attendees should bring their own blankets or chairs. Information: 915-490-7034; www.edenperformingarts.org.
Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta
The El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens, in partnership with the Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition and Texas Parks and Wildlife, will host the Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta Sept. 23-24. There will be exhibits and informational displays, animal encounter presentations on Saturday and various discovery hikes Sunday at the Tom Mays Unit of Franklin Mountain State Park. Zoo presentations will require admission to the zoo on Saturday.
Schedules for both days are available on the Chihuahua Desert Education Coalition website www.ChihuahuanDesert.org/
Barbie Dreamhouse Living Tour coming
The Barbie Truck Dreamhouse Living Truck will be parked between Macy's and JCPenney at Cielo Vista Mall parking lot from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23. Merchandise will include graphic T-shirts, hoodies, denim jackets, baseball caps, throw blankets, corduroy totes, embroidered patch sets, necklaces, tumblers and glass mugs.
Magoffin Home hosts yoga class
The Magoffin Home will have a free yoga class at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 23 in the vinyasa style. Participants should bring their own mat. Reservations required. Information: 915-533-5147 Ext. 1002 or email magoffin-home@thc.texas.gov
Chili Cookoff
The Pod of the Pass El Paso/Las Cruces Chili Appreciation Society will have a chili cookoff from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24 at the VFW Post 8550, 4714 Titanic Ave. $5 gets you a chance to taste all the chilis. A silent auction will take place.
History museum exhibit
The El Paso Museum of History will have its latest exhibit, "Mexicanidad: Folklorizing A Nation 1921-71" through Feb. 24, 2024. The exhibit is a tour of the wide-reaching changes felt across Mexico in the wake of the Mexican Revolution, changes that would redefine Mexico and how Mexican culture was seen across the globe. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.
More: El Paso Museum of History exhibit highlights cultural changes following Mexican Revolution
Oktoberfest in El Paso
Bring your whole family to Oktoberfest for authentic German food, a free craft table and collectible pint glasses growlers for sale from 5 to 11 p.m. Sept. 30, 9530 Viscount Blvd. Adults are invited to dress up for some fun Oktoberfest cosplay.
Aurellia's Bottle Shop & Brewhouse will release limited beer for the season. Their "Festbier" is a light, crisp and crushable lager. Along with beer, a limited Oktoberfest menu will be available. Their celebration runs through Oct. 1 and located at 1620 Resler Drive.
Customers can purchase limited Oktoberfest Steins and receive free four ounces of any house pint throughout the celebration.
Cory Marks at Rockhouse Bar & Grill
Breakout Canadian country-rock star Cory Marks will stop in the U.S. this fall and perform a show on Sept. 30 at The Rockhouse Bar & Grill, 9828 Montana Ave. Marks has a new single, "Snowbirds," inspired by the Snowbirds air demonstration team and his passion for flying.
La Union Maze opens Saturday
The La Union Maze opens Sept. 23 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 take and use credit cards to purchase tickets online.
Apple Festival in New Mexico
The Nichols Ranch, at 236 Cottonwood Canyon, in La Luz, New Mexico, is gearing up for its Apple Festival, Sept. 30-Oct. 1. La Luz is around 95 miles from El Paso. Times will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 30 and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $10 and children under 12 are free. Purchase tickets online at nicholsranchandorchards.com
El Paso Maze and pumpkin patch
The El Paso's Farm Land maze will open for the fall season Sept. 30 at 1100 Nuevo Tanks Blvd. The hours will be from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 30-Oct. 1, 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 open for a fun-filled season beginning Sept. 30. 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 through Oct. 29 at 3855 W. Picacho Ave. in Las Cruces. General admission is $18, children under 12 are $15, and two and under are free. $2 military discount with ID. Visit www.mesillavalleymaze.com
More: Where to go apple picking in New Mexico orchards
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: Kumbiapalooza, Shakespeare Festival among things to do in El Paso
