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Commissioners declare July ‘Viva El Paso Month,’ honor Viva El Paso participants
Summary
The Commissioners Court adopted a resolution recognizing July as Viva El Paso Month and heard remarks from performers and organizers who described the show’s cultural and tourism value.
The El Paso County Commissioners Court adopted a resolution on June 30 declaring July as “Viva El Paso Month,” and invited performers and civic leaders to address the court about the cultural and economic role of the long‑running outdoor musical drama.
County officials read a resolution noting Viva El Paso’s decades‑long history at the McKelligan Canyon Amphitheater and the show’s role in telling the borderland’s history and attracting visitors. County Judge Samaniego moved the resolution; Commissioner Stout seconded the motion and the court adopted it by voice vote.
Organizers and performers addressed the court after the vote. Edward Gallardo III, president of Viva El Paso and a cast member, thanked the county and described the show as an educational and tourism asset: “We just want to say thank you so much, to the El Paso County judge commissioners as well for having us here today, but also, being able to celebrate our culture and heritage and also educate our community in who it is that we are.” David Mills, the original executive director involved with Viva El Paso’s first decades, noted the show’s approaching 50th anniversary and said Hector Serrano’s influence remains in the community’s cultural work.
Why it matters: the court framed the resolution as formal recognition of the city‑region’s cultural heritage and its contribution to tourism. Organizers said they hope county support will help the show attract more out‑of‑town visitors and rebuild a wider audience.
Additional context: the resolution names local partners including EPIC Arts, the El Paso Museum and Cultural Affairs Department and the El Paso Community Foundation. Several performers and board members described plans to expand outreach, to seek visitors from outside the region and to preserve elements of Hector Serrano’s original production.
Ending: Commissioners applauded the performers and invited the public to attend Viva El Paso performances in the canyon; the court’s action was recorded as a formal resolution signed in June 2025.
