Minerpalooza celebrates 25th anniversary today, here’s what you need to know
Minerpalooza2015 — celebrating its 25th year — will take place 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, Aug. 28, 2015, in the P-9 parking lot on UTEP’s campus.
Minerpaloozais an evening full of food, games, live music and a celebration of the start of the fall semester that often attracts 30,000 people.
There is no charge to enter or to see the entertainment and visitors are welcome to bring their own chairs.
The entertainment lineup this year is headlined by Taboo from The Black Eyed Peas. Scott Melker aka The Melker Project will open for Taboo. The co-headliner is rising country star Annie Bosko. Local talent performing duringMinerpaloozaare Ribo Flavin’, Mariachi Los Mineros and the Allegro Dance Team.
To honor the silver anniversary ofMinerpalooza, there will be 5,000 hot dogs sold for 25 cents each. Food trucks with snack items will be posted throughoutMinerpalooza.
Menu items available include chicharrones with cheese sauce, churros, cotton candy, funnel cakes, hamburgers, hot dogs, mangoneadas, nachos, pepino with chile, and turkey legs. Prices range between $2 and $7. Menu items can be purchased with cash or credit card.
Located inside Kidd Field, Pete’s Playground will operate from 6 to 10 p.m. The family-friendly games and entertainment in this area will require tickets, which may be purchased with cash or credit card. Tickets cannot be used to purchase menu items. No refunds will be issued for unused tickets.
T-shirts from pastMinerpaloozas will be available for five tickets each. There will be inflatables and obstacle courses, a princess makeover station, face painting and activity booths with carnival-style games. These activities require one to three tickets to play. These games are one of the largest annual fundraisers for UTEP’s student organizations.
The UTEP football team will host a meet-and-greet session 7:30 to 9 p.m. in the Larry K. Durham Center, following the pep rally. Coach Sean Kugler and the team will be available for an autograph session. There will be UTEP football posters and giveaways. Autographs are limited to one item per person.
Activities for the adults include a beer and wine garden and a silent auction.
Free parking will be available around campus starting at 5 p.m. and there will be an ADA shuttle running between parking lot S-3 and P-9 starting at 5:30 p.m. and ending at 12:30 a.m. Please note, the Glory Road Parking Garage will charge $10 for parking, but the two other parking garages on campus will be free to use.
For more information, visitMinerpalooza.com or contact the Office of Student Life at915-747-5648.
Order of performances – starting at 6 p.m. (subject to change):
Ribo Flavin’ Mariachi Los Mineros Allegro Dance Company Annie Bosko Scott Melker aka The Melker Project Taboo
