From costumes to trick-or-treating to local businesses, the 1st Ave. Artisan Halloween Market showcased different vendors from El Paso Oct. 10 at Main Room Events as the market made its comeback after closing in early July.
The market was filled with all sorts of Halloween-themed food and activities, such as trick-or-treating for kids, a costume party and a haunted house for everyone to enjoy.
The market began in 2020, but in March 2021 it was announced the market was going to close due to the lack of traffic and the lack of a coordinator. However, Lepita and Luis Meza, stepped up and became coordinators of the 1st Ave. Artisan Market to continue providing a space for vendors to sell their items. They both had been vending at the market since it opened and decided it wasn’t time to end the market just yet.
“We decided to take over the market because many of the vendors didn’t want it to close,” Lepita Meza said. “We just wanted to help our vendors by keeping it open, even if it would be difficult.
One of the many booths at the Halloween market was Aramar Art which is owned by UTEP student, Paola Del Valle.
“Art is something I am passionate about, I am even going to school for it as well,” Del Valle said. “I am an art major, so doing this as a side hobby has been helpful.”
Del Valle sells her artwork on tote bags, earrings, keychains, stickers and much more.
“Connecting with other vendors and putting my name out there has been very helpful,” Del Valle said. “Having a segue to connect with people has been very helpful to my business.”
Lepita Meza has a passion for holding markets for the El Paso community. As a business owner herself, she loves the idea of supporting local. The Meza’s are eager to continue to host an environment for vendors to be able to promote their work.
“A lot of our artists have the opportunity of being known,” Lepita Meza said. “I think a market like this helps a lot of our creative vendors.”
Lepita and Luis Meza have their own small business on top of coordinating the market called LM Crafts. They sell custom-made wood engravings and wood laser work. Running their own business doesn’t stop them from hosting markets for their El Paso Community though.
“I hope our market continues to grow each month and every year,” Lepita Meza said. “We just wanted to help the vendors in any way we could, and we enjoy doing it.”
The market is still accepting vendor applications and invites the El Paso community to come out and support local for their next Halloween Markets Oct.23 and 30. To learn more about the market and its vendors, follow 1st Ave. on Instagram @1stavemrkt.
Jasmin Campoya is a staff photographer and can be reached at [email protected].
