Destination Weekend

Each year, the Tom Lea Institute brings FREE, fun and, exciting events and tours to life for the community and those along the Tom Lea Trail – all centered around a central theme inspired by Tom Lea and his works.The Tom Lea Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to documenting, presenting, teaching, and exhibiting the works of Tom Lea. Through its digital library, curricula, public programs, exhibitions, and publications, the Institute reaches audiences of all ages and encourages the exploration of regional art, history and culture.

Tom Lea Institute

Experience unique events designed to provide an insider’s view of the history, people, and culture of the borderland

Hotel Indigo El Paso Downtown

Come spend the weekend in El Paso to experience unique events designed to provide an insider’s view of the exciting history, people, and culture of the borderland. Centered around the theme, “The Magic Touchstone of Horsemanship,” explores the works of El Paso’s own renowned artist and writer, Tom Lea.If you require lodging, stay at the boutique Hotel Indigo. Events include Friday evening enjoy appetizers and no host cocktails on the rooftop of the Paso Del Norte Hotel overlooking El Paso &amp; Cd. Juarez. Saturday morning you’ll be transported via luxury van to Compadres Horse Therapy ranch for a demonstration of different breeds of horses and the purpose for which they were bred, enjoy a picnic BBQ lunch under the oak trees. Sip wine, listen to live music, and learn about the importance of the horse in shaping history at nearby Zin Valle winery. Don festive attire to attend the fabulous music and dance show Viva Mexico! Retelling the history of Mexico featuring beautiful horses!Sunday, join Dr. Kappus on an easy hike amid the Franklin Mountains and learn about over a million years of geology portrayed in Tom Lea’s ode to Old Mt. Franklin. You won’t want to miss the exciting Charreada (traditional Mexican Rodeo based on the ranchero lifestyle) and escaramuzas (performance of beautifully attired women riders). Wrap up the experience with a VIP dinner featuring the traditional Mexican cuisine of Chiles en Nogada or Passion Fruit Mole while listening to a traditional Mexican Band.The events package is $150 per person, which includes: van transportation if needed, and entrance to events: Friday reception, Compadre’s demonstration &amp; BBQ lunch, Zin Valle winetasting, Viva Mexico! traditional Mexican dinner Franklin Mountains hike, entrance to Charreada, Castro Ranch VIP dinner &amp; musicDoes not include: Alchoholic beverages (except the welcome margarita at the VIP dinner) and (per person) lodging. Recommended lodging: HOTEL INDIGO, 325 N Kansas St, El Paso, TX, 915-532-520RSVP for entire weekend at the registration below:22 FRIDAY/ 6:30 Scenic Cocktail Reception. Get a panoramic view and tour of the entire region at the Paso Del Norte Hotel patio overlooking El Paso and Cd. Juarez. Mingle with Joe Lea, Chairman; Adair Margo, Founder; and Holly Cobb, Executive Director of the Tom Lea Institute. Holly will provide an overview of the weekend’s activities. Appetizers and music featured, no host cocktails. All are welcome. PASO DEL NORTE HOTEL, 10 Henry Trost Ct., El Paso, TX23 SATURDAY | 10:30 AM Horse Exhibition Wanting his subjects to be recognized by those who knew them best, Tom Lea paid attention to different breeds of horses and their visible characteristics. He wrote that “To breed a noble horse is to share with God in one of His mysteries. As well as one of His delights.” He also expressed the joy he had in capturing “portrait likeness.” Lea’s interest in the breeding of horses extended to a fascination with the training and riding of them, as described in his historic novel The Hands of Cantu. Don’t miss this demonstration of different breeds of horses, with presentations on their origins and purpose. Enjoy hands-on kids’ activities, Hallelujah BBQ lunch available. COMPADRES THERAPY INC. HORSE ARENA23 SATURDAY | 12:30 PM Presentation &amp; Wine TastingThrough Tom Lea’s The Hands of Cantu, equine scholar Jason Bruemmer began his career understanding the science of horses. Dr. Bruemmer will trace the importance of the horse in shaping history and world events. Also enjoy tasting wines from the Rio Grande valley and live music in a patio setting in the vineyard. ZIN VALLE VINEYARDS, 7315 Canutillo La Union Rd. Canutillo, TX23 SATURDAY | 5:30 PM ¡VIVA MEXICO! Dinner and Show Travel through Mexico’s rich culture and history in a magnificent show of music, dancing, and horsemanship! Partake of a traditional Mexican dinner ringside to the performance. Van departs at 5:30 from El Paso and will cross the international bridge to Juárez. Bring passport or identification, . ¡VIVA MEXICO!, 7315 Av. Abraham Lincoln 900-1, Zona Pronaf Condominio La Plata, Cuidad Juárez24 SUNDAY | 10 AM Old Mount Franklin Field Trip This is a beginners’ level hike to introduce the geology of the Franklin Mountains and Tom Lea’s book, “Old Mount Franklin.” This trip brings his writings to life, out in our mountains. Guests will even have the chance to fit 600 million years of time between their two fingers! Led by Southwest University geologist Eric Kappus, Ph.D. MEETING SPOT: McKelligon Canyon gate just off Alabama Street24 SUNDAY | 4 PM Festive Charreada at the Castro Ranch. Delight in a Mexican rodeo with charros and escaramuzas in traditional costumes competing in breathtaking suertes with mariachi music filling the air. Tom Lea wrote that he considered himself fortunate to live on the border of Mexico. Join us for this family event and experience the reasons why! CASTRO RANCH, 7530 Damian Rd, Canutillo, TX24 SUNDAY | 6 PM VIP Dinner at the Castro Ranch After the charreada, join Martha Vera, Honorary Consul of Spain, for a VIP dinner, be greeted by a margarita, aguas frescas, chips and salsa, as well as a Mexican repast of Chiles Enogada or Pollo en Mole, cilantro rice, Mexican calabiicitas, and dulce de leche natillas. Enjoy music by an authentic Mexican band, and dancing under the stars CASTRO RANCH, 7530 Damian Rd, Canutillo, TXCovid precautions observed

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