Poppies Fest

Poppies Fest 2026 3/13 to 3/15. Presented by GECU, blooming poppies in front of blue sky background

GECU Presents Poppies Fest

Poppies Fest is a celebration of Castner Range National Monument at the only part of the landscape open to the public. The El Paso Museum of Archaeology brings the community together through highlighting local artisans, vendors, and performers as well as providing a platform for Native American voices and traditions. Through nature, culture, and creativity, Poppies Fest fosters connection, education and shared stewardship of this special place. 

We, along with our sponsor GECU, are excited to announce a brand-NEW Poppies Fest format! We are moving to a Festival Weekend jam-packed with FUN as well as spreading out more individual activities throughout the month with preserving the land at the center. 

GECU Presents Poppies Fest Weekend Performance Schedule

 

Friday, March 13

5:30 pm: Cello Performance – Rebecca Samaniego

6:30 pm: Pie Sisters

7:30 pm: Sangre Gitana

Saturday, March 14th

10:00 am: Ballet Folklorico Luz del Mundo 

11:00 am: The Cha’Be’Tu Apache Crown Dance Group

12:00 pm: Tigua Youth Dancers

1:00 pm: Mascot Dance Off

2:00 pm: The Cha’Be’Tu Apache Crown Dance Group

4:00 pm: Samba Alma de Fogo

5:00 pm: Austin Jimmy Murphey

6:00 pm: Mariachi Excelencia

Sunday, March 15

10:00 am - 12:00 pm: Archery

10:00 am - 2:00 pm: DJ Set

10:30 am: Annual Poppies Walk

12:00 pm: Lucha League Meet and Greet

Participant Call Closed

Thank you to everyone who sent in applications. We appreciate your time and your craft. The Call for Vendors, Performers, & Exhibitors is now closed.

Parking!

Parking for Poppies Fest is limited, so we recommend protecting the landscape by carpooling! 

On Saturday, March 14, there will be a shuttle bus system from the Camp Cohen parking lot (located at 9700 Gateway Blvd N, El Paso, TX 79924) to shuttle people to Poppies Fest! The shuttles with begin at 11:30am, with the last bus pick-up at Camp Cohen at 6:45pm.

Parking Maps

Poppies MONTH Activities

Don't worry we have spread out the Poppies Fest fun throughout the month! Check out all the fun activities and schedules below for guided hikes, drop-in activities, workshop and more!

Hike Schedule

Join us on select Thursday's to explore the museum grounds with our guided hikes! Meet in our parking lot at the designated start times, with good walking shoes, water, sunscreen, and bug spray! 

Thursday, March 12th

  • 5:00 pm | 5:30 pm | 6:00 pm | 6:30 pm

Thursday, March 19th

  • 5:00 pm | 5:30 pm | 6:00 pm | 6:30 pm

Thursday, March 26th

  • 5:00 pm | 5:30 pm | 6:00 pm | 6:30 pm

Museum Drop-In Activities

Join us in celebrating Poppies Fest all throughout the month of March with our FREE Poppies drop-ins!

  • March 3rd-7th: Color a Poppies Fest Coloring Page!
  • March 7th, 10:00am-2:00pm: Help us paint our Poppies moveable mural! This color-by-numbers mural will be on display during Poppies Fest, and we want you to help us create it!
  • March 10th-13th: Check out a plein air watercolor kit from the museum to create your own watercolor masterpiece! These kits will be available at the front desk for you to take anywhere on the museum grounds to create your very own painting.
  • March 18th-21st: Color your own Poppy button!
  • March 24th-28th: Make tissue paper poppies!

Poppies Mission Statment/history

Poppies Fest is a celebration of Castner Range National Monument at the only part of the landscape open to the public. The El Paso Museum of Archaeology brings the community together through highlighting local artisans, vendors, and performers as well as providing a platform for Native American voices and traditions. Through nature, culture, and creativity, Poppies Fest fosters connection, education and shared stewardship of this special place.

No picking or stepping on the poppies, or going off trail.

Preserve the Poppies

Please DO NOT pick the Poppies and stay on the trails.

At the heart of Poppies Fest are the yellow and orange flowers that stretch across the foot of the Franklin Mountains every spring. While these beautiful flowers are the subject of many photos, stepping off trails to capture pictures destroys other poppies. The El Paso Museum of Archaeology urges visitors to watch their step and stay on walking paths and trails.