EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — It was a sea of red, white, and blue across Downtown El Paso as the Borderland gathered to celebrate an historic milestone: America’s 250th birthday.
The Convention Center Plaza and Chihuahua Street were transformed into a massive block party for the America 250 bash. Presented by Destination El Paso in partnership with the City of El Paso and Fort Bliss Morale, Welfare and Recreation, the event brought the community together to celebrate in true patriotic fashion.
The festivities kicked off with a solemn presentation of the colors and a beautiful rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner,” setting a deeply reflective tone before the day’s celebrations.
Saul Monroy
“The colors mean everything to me. Like I said, I’m a retired Marine. So being able to fight for my country, having that flag on my back and being able to carry it and watching these colors everywhere, it’s just an amazing feeling as a veteran,” said Saul Monroy, a retired U.S. Marine who attended the event.
Once the anthem wrapped up, the party truly began.
Fort Bliss’s 1st Armored Division Band filled the air with American classics. The fun also moved indoors, where attendees enjoyed classic Fourth of July traditions, including an apple pie competition, a colonial fashion show, and a highly anticipated hot dog eating contest.
Live music kept the energy high throughout the evening, with a heavy emphasis on Texas country to keep the crowd dancing.
Luz Arreaga and Guadalupe Hernandez
“That’s Texas. Yeah. Get us moving and we’re happy,” attendees Guadalupe Hernandez and Luz Arreaga said of the musical lineup.
For many in the crowd, hitting the two-and-a-half-century mark brought out a profound sense of pride and offered a chance to reflect on the nation’s long history.
“It makes me excited inside because I have to think to myself, ‘You know what? This is the United States of America. We’ve been a country for 250 years,’” said Christopher Dustin, who was visiting from Arizona.
Christopher Dustin
El Pasoan Abraham Apodaca echoed that sentiment, taking a moment to honor those who paved the way.
Abraham Apodaca
“I guess all the tough battles, I mean, it wasn’t easy. You know, we had generals and past presidents out in the frontlines fighting for our country. So 250 years ago, this, to them, was just a dream. And now we’re here living it for them,” Apodaca said.
The historic celebration capped off in spectacular fashion with an incredible projection, drone show, and fireworks display lighting up the sky right by the El Paso Chihuahuas game, leaving attendees with an unforgettable conclusion to the Fourth of July.
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