Borderland recreation sites see crowds for holiday weekend

EL PASO, Texas -- Memorial Day 2020 left many stuck indoors as business restrictions were in place due to the outbreak of Covid-19. This year, with more and more American's getting vaccinated, Memorial Day weekend felt more like pre-pandemic times.

"It's been amazing. We opened up the first weekend in May and already then it was a bit busier than expected and ever since then it has been busy. I think people are just really excited to be able to come out here with their friends and family," said Chandra Edwards-Cottingham, president and owner of Wet N' Wild.

Last year, Wet N' Wild Waterworld was forced to close its doors as only essential businesses were given the green light to be open. This year, the water park welcomed back it's guests back at 100% capacity. Edwards-Cottingham told ABC-7 that having her guests back made all the difference.

"I talked to customers and they are just so happy especially teens and those who missed their graduation missed be able to be with friends, they are just so glad to be able to hang out with their friends," said Edwards-Cottingham.

An active duty soldier at Wet N' Wild with friend told ABC-7 that the three day holiday was a great way to kick off summer, but it's important to remember why we were off from work.

"To my brothers and sisters in the military, they've been with people that they've lost where they were close hand-in-hand and this is a day for them to look back on this day that they knew them," said Army soldier Jacob Quinones.

In Sunland Park, Western Playland was able to open their doors for the holiday too, welcoming guests back after having to close all of last season.

"That's the best part of it is being able to see the kids having a good time and the family is out, and that is what we are in business for and it's great to be able to see that again," said Patrick Thomson, owner of Western Playland.