America 250 celebration kicks off

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- El Paso is preparing for eight days of events to celebrate America's 250th anniversary, with activities planned across the city and at Fort Bliss through July 4.

Destination El Paso President and CEO Brooke Underwood joined ABC-7 at Noon to highlight the weeklong celebration, which begins with Pop Goes the Fort and concludes with a July 4 celebration at the El Paso Convention Center.

Underwood said the July 4 event will feature free family-friendly activities, including food trucks, a hot dog eating contest, an apple pie baking contest, a mechanical bull, a dunk tank and military static displays provided by Fort Bliss.

The celebration will also include free live entertainment, with the Randy Rogers Band headlining the July 4 festivities. El Paso native Julian Kalel will open the concert.

The celebration begins this weekend with Pop Goes the Fort at Biggs Park on Fort Bliss. Organizers encourage visitors who do not have base access to register for a community access pass before attending.

The weeklong celebration runs from June 27 through July 4.