Bug Fest, Kids fishing, and Kids to Park Day among things to do this weekend

Maria Cortes Gonzalez, El Paso Times
·4 min read
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

It's a fun weekend for families in El Paso.

Families can take them fishing at Ascarate Park, where the Ascarate Fishing Club will lend them poles. At the El Paso Zoo, the Bug Fest returns with lots of interesting insects to learn about.

In Northeast El Paso, a new hiking group is planning an outdoor event at Chuck Heinrich Park.

The popular groups, Flans y Pandora, will be in concert this weekend at the El Paso County Coliseum.

More concerts are coming up later in the month, including Mon Laferte, a Chilean-Mexican musician and singer.

Here is a closer look at events.

Celebrate Kid to Parks Day

The group, We Hike, will have its inaugural event, Kid to Parks Day, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at Chuck Heinrich Memorial Park located at Officer Andrew Barcena Drive. The event will have music, games, hikes, crafts, tabling and raffle prizes. There will be community awareness on health and wellness, such as hiking, biking, walking preparation and preparedness.

Flans and Pandora back on tour

Pandora and Flans are on an Inesperado Tour 2024 and will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at the El Paso County Coliseum, 4100 E. Paisano Drive. Tickets, ranging from $44 to $192, plus fees, are available at Ticketmaster.

Bug Fest returns to El Paso Zoo

The Bug Fest, taking place Saturday and Sunday, May 18-19, usually features food made with bugs. The fest takes place at the El Paso Zoo.
The Bug Fest, taking place Saturday and Sunday, May 18-19, usually features food made with bugs. The fest takes place at the El Paso Zoo.

It's all about bugs at the Bug Fest, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19, at the El Paso Zoo. The fest will include bug cooking demos and insect games.

Sponsored by Truly Nolen, Bug Fest will be humming with bugs and insects, from spiders, scorpions, and crickets to Madagascar hissing cockroaches. Visitors can get close and personal with these creepy critters in a large bug room while learning about the importance of bugs in the ecosystem. Bug Fest provides an opportunity to learn about the different types of bugs, their habitats and their behaviors.

Kid Fish Derby

The Ascarate Fishing Club will hold a free kid's fishing tournament at Ascarate Park on Saturday, May 18, from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. Registration will be from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. The derby is for ages 3 to 16. Parents will need an ID to register. Bait and poles will be provided to registered children. There is a limit of 200 kids.

Mon Laferte to kick off tour in El Paso

Chilean singer-songwriter Mon Laferte will kick off her 2024 tour in El Paso with a show at 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, at the El Paso County Coliseum. Tickets are $84, plus fees, available at the Coliseum Box Office and Ticketmaster.

Cool Canyon Nights

Prime Rocks will perform Thursday, May 23, at Cool Canyon Nights free concert at McKelligon Canyon. Gates open at 6 p.m.

Mark Chesnutt

Country singer Mark Chesnutt will bring his honky-tonk classics like "Too Cold at Home" to the Inn of the Mountain Gods in Mescalero May 25.
Country singer Mark Chesnutt will bring his honky-tonk classics like "Too Cold at Home" to the Inn of the Mountain Gods in Mescalero May 25.

Country singer Mark Chesnutt will bring his honky-tonk classics like "Too Cold at Home" to the Inn of the Mountain Gods in Mescalero Saturday, May 25. The concert will be at 6 p.m. Tickets, ranging from $25 to $65, plus fees, are available at Ticketmaster.

El Paso Water Lantern Festival

The El Paso Water Lantern Festival returns to Ascarate Park from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, May 25.

Tickets are $35 and up, depending on when purchased, and on sale at https://www.waterlanternfestival.com/elpaso.php. The ticket allows people to get a lantern to design and put in the water with an LED candle. Gates will open at 4:30 p.m. The launch will be 7:30 p.m.

2024 New Mexico Wine Festival in Las Cruces

The 2024 New Mexico Wine Festival will occur during Memorial Day weekend, May 25-27, at the Southern New Mexico State Fairgrounds in Las Cruces. Hours will be noon to 6 p.m. daily. The wine festival features over 200 wine vendors, numerous food booths, over 50 artisan vendors and entertainment, including Latin and country rockers. Any-day tickets are $30 through May 24 and $35 effective May 25.

More: Sal Y Limon Festival, Tequila & Margarita and Cherry Fest lead summer festivals 2024

María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150; mcortes@elpasotimes.com; @EPTMaria on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Things to do in El Paso include Bug Fest, fishing at Ascarate Park