By
Ana L. Diaz
The beauty of our city is that every season is an opportunity for our community to embrace the arts and culture we have. Who can forget about The Nutcracker play at UTEP in the winter, poppy season in the spring, Kermes season in the summer, and school carnival season in the fall?
As the fall enters the sun city, El Paso comes alive with one of its most cherished traditions: school carnivals.
These fall carnivals, organized by schools across the city, are much more than events for students and families: they are celebrations of art, community, and unity. As a PTA mom who’s been part of coordinating these carnivals for over six years, I’ve witnessed the magic that all of these events bring to our schools and the amazing role they play in bringing together families, teachers, and the larger community.
Fall school carnivals are more than just events, they are part of our community.
Carnivals, such as Mesita Elementary carnival which has been occurring for years, Eastwood High hosting an evening of fun and fundraising among other schools take the spotlight in the days between September and November. What sets these carnivals apart is their deep connection to local culture, our school spirit, and the opportunity for anyone to enjoy our Chuco traditions. It brings a lot of joy to see families, together whether by setting up a booth or visiting the carnival, seeing teachers play games with the kids and our local food trucks selling their treats.
There is no small task behind the scenes in organizing these festivals.
We go through every single detail we can, including finding ways in which our teachers who help are fed, our students who can’t afford an entrance ticket can go, and our local businesses can have a spot. Months of preparation go in extended hours to ensure that we cover, security, food, music, volunteers, and activities. Our schools and PTAs have the opportunity to seek the best ways to find sponsors and get support for it. All these labor-intensive duties for the planning of a carnival are priceless because, on the day of the carnival, the energy and joy from all the attendees show us how our community simply deserves the best.
One of the most inspiring aspects of coordinating these carnivals is seeing the true impact of the words “El Paso Strong” and “Paying it Forward”, our community comes together in so many ways. Our local businesses like InterXtreme ensure they provide the service, liability, and quality of inflatables for our carnivals. Our families donate time and/or money to decorate activity booths, our teachers coordinate and plan the most fun activities that kids will love and our stores like The Brown Street Market cheerfully showcase our flyers on their windows.
The community comes together to support our schools.
Local businesses are always willing to pitch in, whether by donating prizes, sponsoring booths, or providing food and refreshments. Whether it’s a restaurant donating meals, a bakery providing cupcakes for a cakewalk, or a car dealership sponsoring a grand prize, these partnerships make the carnival possible. And it’s not just the businesses that step up—our parents, teachers, and students all come together to make it happen. The sense of collaboration, of knowing we’re all working toward a common goal, makes these events feel less like a school fundraiser and more like a true community celebration. Every single action behind the scenes is a work of art. The beauty and creation of all these aspects of kindness and local pride form the most outstanding school carnival.
Embracing the Fall Season
School carnivals in the fall just make sense. They have so many fun booths, costume parades, pumpkin decorations, loteria booths, etc. The hot chocolate being sold by the cheer booster, or the delicious aguas frescas in the food truck ahead, make the carnival feel right. Then you get to find a spot in the grass like Polk Carnival where you can sit eat and enjoy the fall crispy weather. You get to celebrate everything at once, from Halloween to Dia de los Muertos, to Dia de la Independencia. No matter what holiday you want, a fall carnival has you covered. The fall season provides the perfect backdrop for these festivities, with cooler temperatures making it comfortable to spend hours outdoors enjoying the
carnival’s offerings.
While the fun of fall carnivals is undeniable, they serve an important purpose for our schools.
These events are a vital source of fundraising, providing the extra money that schools need to enhance their programs. Over the years, I’ve seen the funds raised at our carnivals go toward everything from new playground equipment to field trips and classroom supplies. The generosity of the El Paso community shines through in the contributions we receive, and it’s heartening to know that our efforts are helping to create better learning environments for our children.
El Paso’s school carnivals capture the essence of our community – its warmth, its creativity, and its ability to come together in support of our children. Whether you’re a parent, a teacher, or a local business owner, there’s no denying the magic that these events bring to the fall season. After six years of being involved in planning these carnivals, I can confidently say that there’s nothing quite like the joy of seeing our families enjoy a day of fun and knowing that we’ve all contributed to something truly special.
