© 2024 Marfa Public Radio
A 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

Lobby Hours: Monday - Friday 10 AM to Noon & 1 PM to 4 PM
For general inquiries: (432) 729-4578
Donate
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Photos: After four years, Voices From Both Sides returns, bringing together families and cultures

By Hannah Gentiles
Published May 15, 2023 at 10:52 AM CDT
Vendors from Mexico and The United States traveled back and forth across the river to sell their wares.
Hannah Gentiles for Marfa Public Radio
During the afternoon, bands from both sides of the border took turns playing for the crowd, facing toward the river.

After a four-year break, Voices From Both Sides — a cross-border party that started in 2013 to celebrate the connections between Lajitas, Texas and Paso Lajitas, Chihuahua — returned this weekend, reuniting families and celebrating culture along the border.

The day was filled with dancing, music, food, and delight radiating from one country's river bank to the other. During the event, many fondly remembered Jeff Haislip, the event's original organizer, who died unexpectedly in February. Haislip had begun planning this year's event before his death. His friends and community members joined together to continue where he had left off.

People that attended Voices from Both Sides of the Border used the occasion as a long-awaited family reunion with loved ones across the river.
Hannah Gentiles for Marfa Public Radio
People that attended Voices from Both Sides of the Border used the occasion as a long-awaited family reunion with loved ones across the river.
Voices from Both Sides cofounder and musician Collie Ryan catches up with a friend. Later in the day, Ryan would hit the stage performing for the gathering, sharing her delight in the resurgence of the event.
Hannah Gentiles for Marfa Public Radio
Voices from Both Sides cofounder and musician Collie Ryan catches up with a friend. Later in the day, Ryan would hit the stage performing for the gathering, sharing her delight in the resurgence of the event.
Vendors from Mexico and the United States travel back and forth across the river to sell their wares.
Hannah Gentiles for Marfa Public Radio
Vendors from Mexico and the United States travel back and forth across the river to sell their wares.
Children spend a rare afternoon playing among each other in the water, cooling off from the increasingly hot spring day.
Hannah Gentiles for Marfa Public Radio
Children spend a rare afternoon playing among each other in the water, cooling off from the increasingly hot spring day.
Members of the Romero Family set up camp on both the Mexican and American sides of the River. Some of their family came from as far away as Midland, Texas and Ciudad Juárez to reunite with family members. From left: Lupe Romero of Lajitas, Daniel Romero of Ciudad Juárez, Marta Romero of San Carlos, Eufemia Romero of San Carlos.
Hannah Gentiles for Marfa Public Radio
Members of the Romero Family set up camp on both the Mexican and American sides of the River. Some of their family came from as far away as Midland, Texas and Ciudad Juárez to reunite with family members. From left: Lupe Romero of Lajitas, Daniel Romero of Ciudad Juárez, Marta Romero of San Carlos, Eufemia Romero of San Carlos.
Musicians from the Mexican band Furia Norteña entertain the masses throughout the day.
Hannah Gentiles for Marfa Public Radio
Musicians from the Mexican band Furia Norteña entertain the masses throughout the day.
Fernando Garcia Villanueva, Presidente Municipal de Manuel Benavides poses with his wife Cruz Valenzuela Rodríguez. Garcia played an integral part in the planning the event and running it on the Mexican side. Since the closure of the river crossing in Paso Lajitas after 9-11, the border town has all but closed down. Manuel Benavides is now the closest town to the border in the municipality.
Hannah Gentiles for Marfa Public Radio
Fernando Garcia Villanueva, Presidente Municipal de Manuel Benavides poses with his wife Cruz Valenzuela Rodríguez. Garcia played an integral part in the planning the event and running it on the Mexican side. Since the closure of the river crossing in Paso Lajitas after 9-11, the border town has all but closed down. Manuel Benavides is now the closest town to the border in the municipality.
Traditional Mexican folk dancers from Ciudad Juárez are the only performers to entertain on the shores of both sides of the river.
Hannah Gentiles for Marfa Public Radio
Traditional Mexican folk dancers from Ciudad Juárez are the only performers to entertain on the shores of both sides of the river.
The performers travel across the river in style, escorted by Bryan Devonshire, who was one among several individuals offering rides throughout the day.
Hannah Gentiles for Marfa Public Radio
The performers travel across the river in style, escorted by Bryan Devonshire, who was one among several individuals offering rides throughout the day.
Tony Hernandez (center) lives in Midland, and said he’s deeply grateful for this opportunity to see family in Mexico that he hasn't seen in over a decade.
Hannah Gentiles for Marfa Public Radio
Tony Hernandez (center) lives in Midland, and said he’s deeply grateful for this opportunity to see family in Mexico that he hasn't seen in over a decade.
The collective celebration continues as the river filled with even more people.
Hannah Gentiles for Marfa Public Radio
The collective celebration continues as the river filled with even more people.
Hannah Gentiles for Marfa Public Radio
Voices From Both Sides started in 2013 as a cross-border party to celebrate the connections between the small communities of Lajitas, Texas and Paso Lajitas, Chihuahua — and to protest their separation since the crossing here was closed after 9/11.