Editor’s Note: Our assistant editor Cailin Acosta, visiting relatives in El Paso, stays true to her mission of finding Jewish stories wherever she goes.
By Cailin Acosta
EL PASO, Texas – The slogan “Coolest Fest in the Southwest” has been coined by the El Paso WinterFest organizers who have welcomed the holiday season with holiday tree lighting, the Scherr Legate WinterFest Lights Parade and concerts.
While my 12-year-old twins and their cousins enjoyed ice skating at “The Rink,” I came across a section in the San Jacinto Plaza that had a menorah and Chanukah lights which will be ignited when the sun sets on December 25. According to the WinterFest website, San Jacinto Plaza and the surrounding downtown area are covered with more than 1 million lights, oversized decorations and a 55-ft holiday tree.
WinterFest started in 2015 and has become a tradition in the community. City of El Paso and many various partners make the season bigger and better for El Pasoans and visitors to enjoy every year.
Jewish Federation of El Paso and Las Cruces pre-celebrated “Chanukah on the Plaza” on Sunday, Dec. 15, at the San Jacinto Plaza. The event included performances by The Kosher Cowpokes, the J Students, Cantor David Frommer, El Paso Pro Musica, NMMA-winning songwriter Larry Lesser and Carlos Gamez. There were food, games and activities for everyone to enjoy.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.