Minerpalooza

If there’s a major event in El Paso, you know I’ll be there so even though I’m not a student (nor have I ever been) at UTEP, Minerpalooza was no exception. You know how I do!
I’ll admit, this year I had no real intention of going to Minerpalooza, but my friends Jelly, Jasmine, and Paul were going so I tagged along last minute for some fun and I’m super glad I did.
When we arrived we somehow managed to snag some of the football jerseys the band wears and threw them on quickly since none of us were wearing anything slightly UTEP related. The J’s and I walked around for a bit looking at the different booths set up. This year was the first year I’ve went since they’ve changed this pep rally to the Sun Bowl Stadium parking lot and I have to say what a huge improvement. They had a lot of companies that had more than one booth and the parking lot wasn’t entirely full so I think moving forward they should definitely try to fill this so much more, like there should be a waiting list. Also more samples, the only stand giving out samples was the kettle corn that I may have taken a total of five samples from (hey, they had more than one booth).
Eventually we made our way to the beginning of the «parade» to snap some shots with Paydirt Pete. Parade is in quotations because it’s only Pete, the cheerleaders, baton twirlers, the band, and the flag team… and they travel about 400 yards. Maybe a real parade should be worked out.
After the «parade» we watched part of the actual pep rally. They definitely need peppier people on the mics and maybe they shouldn’t let the football coach speak again, he literally asked the crowd during a freaking pep rally to be «as quite as possible when we’re playing offense.» Like I understand the request (to an extent), but a pep rally is about being spirited, not for semi-​scoldings. I was seriously impressed by the lack of spirit and monotone speakers during this pep rally, I just don’t get it.
Halfway through we decided to make a pitstop at the nearby Liqour Dicks for some cheap drinks and returned maybe an hour later. Luckily for us, we’re friends with Paydirt Pete (one of the J’s might be dating him… yes, she dates Pete, not the guy inside) and he was able to throw VIP passes our way. So we found ourself in front of Hors d’œuvre sized dishes and of course I tried everything. The turkey with orange-​cranberry gravy along with the hummus served with a tostada were my favorite and the best executed. The burger was sitting on a griddle which took the bread to the past-​toast degree and made it rather dangerous to pick up. The salad was simple and made with iceberg and a vinegar based dressing which I think many found rather unappealing as I was the only one partaking. I was split on the cupcakes because the cream cheese frosting was quite good, but the cupcakes themselves were extremely dense (but moist). The bar was manned by some pretty good bartenders and I had my first Piña Colada on the rocks (nothing is served frozen at MP).
We stopped to watch the fireworks and this year they definitely went all out! Even lighting up the M on the side of the mountain with multiple fireworks and some heavy duty Roman Candles.
Jasmine and I made our way to the beer garden after and tried their margaritas which were very strong. The beer garden wasn’t well lit like Pete’s Pavilion, but we still had fun dancing since it was located pretty close to a DJ booth. After an hour or so we decided to head back to the stage and I need to mention what a huge improvement this stage was! Professional sized and equipped with serious lighting and sound. I was shocked to see The Cataracs, Cyranizzy, headlining! Say what?!? UTEP, Y U NO DO BETTER MARKETING? MP should’ve been jam packed! Regardless, the crowd loved him! Everyone was jumping with their hands up and dancing, definitely a very hype person to have on stage. Awesome way to end the night!