El Paso Festivals Draw Crowds, 22 Bands Compete

El Paso’s inaugural Mission Trail Music Festival brought a day of music, dance and cultural programming to the historic nine-mile Mission Valley corridor. Organized by Destination El Paso and El Paso County, the free event featured performances, local food and vendors, and family activities across sites including Ysleta Mission, Socorro Mission, San Elizario Presidio Chapel, the Mission Trail Visitor Center, the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Cultural Center and Licon Dairy. Organizers said the festival was intended both to celebrate Borderland history and culture and to encourage visitors to explore nearby businesses and communities; attendees praised the mix of heritage, food and entertainment.