Enforcing Alcohol Ban At Music Under The Stars Will Be Difficult, Chamizal Officials Say

You may want to think about switching to soda or water if you plan on downing a cold one this summer at Music Under the Stars. Officials at the Chamizal National Park have banned alcohol and not just at the concert series.

“We not only have problems with alcohol during Music Under the Stars, but it’s during the entire course of the summer,” the park’s superintendent, Catherine Light, said. “We just decided safety first. We wanted to make it more family friendly.”

Park officials say the number of alcohol-related incidents have gotten out of hand in recent years.

“We’re dealing with situations where we have people fighting with each other, confrontations, young people getting hurt,” Light said. “We have heavy intoxication with people passing out at the park and indecent exposure.”

Light admits enforcing the alcohol ban won’t be easy.

“It’s going to be difficult because the park is not fenced or secured so we will have some checkpoints,” Light said.

The big question now — will no booze mean people won’t go now?

“If there’s no beer, probably not,” said one El Paso man who did not want to be identified. “That’s part of the fun.”

Others said people will find a way to sneak in alcohol anyway.

“I’m very sure the people will bring alcohol. They usually do,” said Norma Acosta.

Light is hopeful people will still come out and support a long-standing El Paso tradition.

“Hopefully, people will know that this is a free concert,” Light said. “You can still have a great time if you come out and enjoy yourself.”

———— 2011 Lineup: June 12 Frontera Bugalu, La Sonora Blu June 19 The Police Experience June 26 Havana Quintet, Art Lewis & Fernando Lechuga July 3 El Paso Wind Symphony July 10 Subrosa Union July 17 Delta Nove July 24 Rupa & the April Fishes July 31 Brass Monkey Brass Band August 7 The Royalty, Desorden No Autorizado August 14 Dave Matthews Tribute Band