Part of the UTEP campus will be transformed into El Paso’s pep rally headquarters as the university throws its annual “welcome back” community event that features entertainment, games, food and fun: Minerpalooza 2008.

Festivities will run from 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, Sept. 5, and be centered near the intersection of University Avenue and Hawthorne Streets.

The focus of this year’s scorn will be the University of Texas Longhorns football team. So make sure to take a whack at the piñatas shaped like Bevo, the team’s mascot. Make that several whacks.

But don’t spend all your evening hating. Soak in the carnival-like atmosphere. Visit the numerous food booths, ride the mechanical bull, drop the tweens at the Kid’s Zone and participate in some of the inflatable games such as sumo wrestling and jousting.

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UTEP staffer Melanie Thomas taunted and dared people to dunk her during last year's Minerpalooza.

“This is our chance to be a kid again,” freshman Michelle Pugh said. The 18-year-old electrical engineering major said she wants to jump in the giant balloons. “This is about fun.”

Minerpalooza VIP tickets still are available for $50. The package includes an appetizer buffet, commemorative T-shirt, wristband that provides access to inflatable games, entry to an air-conditioned tent and a chance to win tickets to Saturday’s game.

The pre-sale of the Fun Packs – which includes T-shirts and wristbands and discounted food and game tickets – continues through Friday, Sept. 5. They range from $20-$50.

UTEP students will get a free wristband, which allows the wearer to unlimited visits to the inflatable games, if they show their Miner Gold Card.

The event is scheduled to have performances by Mantarraya, Cool Sosa, The Royalty, and the Mexican Institute of Sound. The pep rally is scheduled after 7 p.m. and could include short speeches from UTEP Athletic Director Bob Stull, head coach Mike Price, and University President Diana Natalicio.

Organizers expect Minerpalooza to draw up to 25,000 people. Free parking will be available at the UTEP parking garage.

A warning to tailgaters: they can start to park on campus parking lots at 8 a.m. for Saturday home game. They have to wait until noon for inner-campus parking slots.

Information: 915-747-5670

– Daniel E. Perez