Things to do this weekend include: Dia de los Muertos Parade, Hello Kitty Truck
This weekend, El Pasoans can celebrate Dia de los Muertos early and Halloween with various events around town. Dia de los Muertos is Wednesday, Nov. 1 and Thursday, Nov. 2.
The Dia de los Muertos Parade will be Downtown Saturday and highlight the state of Veracruz this year in its colors and tropical elements. Corn mazes continue for one more weekend in El Paso and New Mexico.
The Hello Kitty merchandise truck will return to Cielo Vista Mall this weekend. The Ysleta Independent School District will have its Art Festival featuring lots of great art and performances, along with a haunted house and jumping balloon.
Here is a closer look at this weekend's events.
Dia de los Muertos Parade
The city will have its Dia de los Muertos Parade at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, in Downtown El Paso. The parade stages at the Union Plaza, starts on Overland Avenue, proceeds to Santa Fe and Franklin streets, turns onto North Mesa Street along San Jacinto Plaza, then onto San Antonio Avenue and back to the Union Plaza.
Dia de los Muertos in Mesilla
El Pasoans can celebrate Dia de los Muertos Friday, Oct. 27 through Sunday, Oct. 29, in Old Mesilla Plaza. Oct. 27, an altar will be set up at 8 a.m., art vendors will open up at 2 p.m., Aztec dancers will perform at 5:30 p.m. and the movie, "Coco," will be shown at 7 p.m.
The celebration will continue on Saturday, Oct. 28, with an opening ceremony at noon and events including a Frida Kahlo costume contest until 9 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 29.
On Thursday, Nov. 2, a candlelight procession will be at 6:30 p.m. in the plaza. Aztec dancers also will join in.
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Hello Kitty back in town
Fans of Hello Kitty can look forward to the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck being from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at Cielo Vista Mall, between JCPenny's and Macy's stores. There will be limited-edition items. Credit or debit cards only.
Posdata play has free performances
The UTEP Department of Theatre and Dance will take their play, "Posdata, or what I wish I said." about postcards that were left in the community and returned with stories, secrets and El Paso stories, will be presented for free at various locations this weekend.
Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, at La Fe Culture & Technology Center, 721 S. Ochoa St., 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at Andress High School, 5400 Sun Valley Drive., and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29, at Bulldog Championship Park, 316 Buford Road.
Ysleta district Fine Arts Festival this weekend
The Ysleta district will have its Fine Arts Fall Festival from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27 and Saturday, Oct. 28, at the Ysleta ISD Fine Arts Department, 8455 Alameda Ave. The event will showcase the musical and visual arts talents of more than 1,800 elementary school students in a fun and festive atmosphere. The festival will include local food and vendors, live entertainment, a haunted house, jumping balloons, horse rides, free candy and a photo booth. A $5 day pass is available for purchase. Halloween costumes and trick-or-treaters are welcome. Information: 915-434-9700.
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.
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El Paso Maze and pumpkin patch
The El Paso's Farm Land maze is open for its last weekend, 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 28-29 at 1100 Nuevo Tanks Blvd. 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 one last weekend, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at 3855 W. Picacho Ave. in Las Cruces. Visitors can enjoy hayrides, giant slides, a country store, duck races and face painting. 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: Dia de los Muertos Parade, Hello Kitty Truck
