El Pasoans can celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with events this weekend, including the Pop Goes the Fort concert Saturday, June 27. The show will include fireworks at the end of the evening.
VIVA! El Paso opens June 26 for its 49th season at McKelligon Canyon Amphitheatre. For nearly five decades, VIVA! has been part of El Paso’s cultural memory, creating traditions for generations of families through music, dance, and the story of the Borderlands.
Pride Month continues with several events, including the Pride Parade on Saturday, June 27, in Downtown El Paso.
Here is a closer look at these and other events in the El Paso area.
VIVA! El Paso returns
VIVA! El Paso opens Friday, June 26, for its 49th season at McKelligon Canyon Amphitheatre.
Performances will be at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays from June 26 through Aug.1. Tickets starting at $32.80 plus fees are available at ticketmaster.com.
Pride Month events
Pride Month continues with Adult Pride Night from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, June 25, at La Nube, 201 W. Main Drive. Other events include the Pride Parade from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 27, in Downtown El Paso, the Pride Festival from 3 p.m. to 12 a.m. Saturday, June 27, in Downtown El Paso and a Pride Drag Brunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 28, at Hotel Indigo, 325 N. Kansas St.
Pop Goes the Fort
Country music platinum superstar Chris Young will headline the Pop Goes the Fort concert from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 27, at Biggs Park, 11388 Sergeant Major Blvd.
The country artist gained fame after winning the reality show, “Nashville Star” in 2006 and has since released several successful albums, including “The Man I Want to Be” and “Famous Friends.”
The free concert will include performances by the 1st Armored Division Band, El Paso’s hip hop artist Krystall Poppin, chart-topping pop rock band Hot Chelle Rae and a fireworks show.
Attendees can bring canopies (designated area only; space is limited), picnic baskets and coolers, blankets and lawn chairs.
Speaking Rock concert
Jeremy’s Ten, a Pearl Jam tribute concert, will take place Saturday, June 27, at Speaking Rock Casino, 122 S. Old Pueblo Road. Free.
Patriotic Craft Series
Armijo Library, 620 E. 7th St., will host a weeklong series from 2 to 5 p.m., Saturday, June 27, through Friday, July 3, in honor of America’s 250th celebration.
The weeklong series of patriotic crafts will include salt-painted fireworks, ribbon flags, liberty wands, tic-tac-toe rock painting, Statue of Liberty silhouettes, and a liberty rock garden activity.
Rod & Gun Club
Celebrate America’s 250th birthday with the Rod & Gun Club, 3730 Roy Johnson Lane, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 28.
Show up in your boldest red, white and blue outfit or rock your military uniform to take advantage of a $2.50 daily range pass.
El Pasoans are also invited to snap a pic and share their patriotic spirit with #America250 on social media, and you might see your face on the club’s recap post and score wristbands to be part of the Army tent during the big Downtown El Paso celebration on the Fourth of July.
Get a pass to get onto Fort Bliss by visiting bliss.armymwr.com/happenings/fort-bliss-community-pass (only for on-post facilities).
Fourth of July friendship bracelets
The Jose Cisneros Library, 1300 Hawkins Blvd., will have a Fourth of July friendship bracelet-making activity at 11 a.m. Monday, June 29, as part of America 250 events.
María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150; mcortes@elpasotimes.com; @eptmaria.bsky.social on Bluesky, and @eptmariacg on TikTok.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: VIVA El Paso, America 250 and Pride events this weekend
Reporting by Maria Cortes Gonzalez, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Maria Cortes Gonzalez, El Paso Times | USA TODAY Network
