Minerpalooza 2010

What originally began as a small effort to raise student school morale and draw campus participation from alumni has become of the of most colossal block parties in the El Paso area in just two decades.

The annual Minerpalooza kicks off at 6 p.m. Sept. 3 at the center of campus.

"Back in the day it started as a small picnic on the lawn with alumni, and now look at it 20 years later. We are taking over the center of campus extending each time to Leech Grove and further up Magoffin [Auditorium]," said Shannon Osborne, the entertainment and sponsorship chair of Minerpalooza.

Last year's bash won the event El Paso Magazine's 2009 Best Festival award and, according to event organizers, it brought approximately 25,000 students and El Paso Miner fans to enjoy campus festivities.

For miner newbies, Minerpalooza is basically a giant block party on campus to welcome students back from the summer and to kick-off the UTEP football season.

"What is so cool about Minerpalooza is that it gets you excited about school and it gets you excited about sports, not just football but soccer and volleyball because all the sports are represented," Osborne said.

For its 20th anniversary, organizers plan to bring back many of the crowd favorites such as the student organization hosted carnival. The carnival will let the crowd play everything from traditional carnie games such as dunk tanks and ball tosses to the having the ability to get "married off," in the more unique marriage booth hosted by the Queer Student Alliance.

"[With] the marriage booth, it's going to be our fourth year. It's been really successful. It's an equality marriage booth [and] we allow everyone to get married. A lot of times we have couples but we also have friends that come and big groups that come...it's really fun," said Jesus Smith, graduate sociology student and vice president of QSA. "With the numbers that attend Minerpalooza, it definitely gives our organization exposure."

The actual pep rally will happen early in the evening and will feature speeches by UTEP President Diana Natalicio and football head coach Mike Price, rousing the crowd to support the team during the first home game against the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The rally will kick off with a mini-parade from Magoffin Auditorium to the Minerpalooza stage with performances by the UTEP Marching Band, the Golddiggers and cheerleaders.

There will also be plenty of other activities and food for the public. Miner fans can get tossed around on the mechanical bull, slide down inflatable slides or try their hand at scaling the rock-climbing wall.

"All of it is geared toward kids and family," said Wendy Kane, assistant director of the Student Development Center.

For the younger Miner fan, there will be the Minerpalooza Kid Zone, which will run from 6-10 p.m. It will have kid-friendly games.

Also, a group of students have organized a secret flash mob that will perform randomly during the festivities.

The Master of Ceremonies for the evening will be KVIA Channel 7's own sports anchor Paul Cicala.

As the sun sets, Cicala will introduce Minerpalooza's musical guests to the stage. The night's headliners include El Paso's favorite border roots act Radio La Chusma and local alt-country rock group Sleepercar, headed by local celebrity Jim Ward.

The opening acts will be local bands Pan 8, made up of UTEP students from the steel drum ensemble,, and Brown Betty, a classic rock tribute band.

"We are pretty excited," said Michael Castillo, UTEP employee and Brown Betty's drummer. "I know this [year] there are some really cool acts so it's really going to be a good night."

The event is free and parking spots in the garage will also be available free of charge.

Students are advised to bring their Miner Gold Card to receive a free bracelet that will grant them access to all obstacle course activities. Students should also make sure to get booth and food tickets early.

For more information call 915-747-5670 or visit www.utep.edu/minerpalooza.

Omar Lozano may be reached at prospector@utep.edu.