'NSync leaves El Paso 'Namored 36,000 pack Sun Bowl to see pop superstars Maria Cortes Gonzalez El Paso Times
Pop sensation 'NSync exploded into the Sun Bowl Monday night with enough energy to keep thousands of bleary-eyed teen-age girls daydreaming for weeks.
For El Paso fan Darleen Aguayo, 19, nothing compared with the much anticipated 'NSync concert -- the last U.S. stop in the group's PopOdyssey tour.
The 66-day wait. Long lines. Aguayo cherished every moment.
"It's excellent. It's so cool, definitely better than Ricky Martin -- the stage, the dance, the group, everything," Aguayo said.
The event, El Paso's biggest concert of the summer, brought out an estimated 36,000 fans to the stadium in near-perfect weather, UTEP officials said.
'NSync treated thousands of young females with racing hormones, their parents and even a few grandparents to almost two hours of singing, dancing, explosions and electronic gizmos strung out on a five-story-high stage outfitted with state-of-the art speakers, huge video screens and dazzling lights.
The group stepped on stage just a few minutes late with the hit single "Pop."
Manny Chavez, 33, who was dragged to the concert by his 5-year-old daughter, Dorian, didn't mind the deafening screams and all the commotion.
"I'm having a good time," Chavez said. "I listen to their music on the radio. I knew I would like their show."
'NSyncer Chris Kirkpatrick, riding a mechanical bull during "Space Cowboys" early in the concert, brought down the house when he said one of the bulls wasn't working right: "This bull looks like he's had too many Chico's Tacos."
The excitement started early in the day, just outside the stadium.
To Jessica Arambula, a 15-year-old sophomore at Jefferson High, it didn't matter that it was only 2:30 p.m. She was already standing outside the arena with sister Maggie Arambula, 19, waiting for showtime.
"My mom told us we should come at 5, but we didn't listen," Jessica said. "We don't want anyone to take our seats."
Mary Malmberg, a volunteer in the Big Brother, Big Sister Program, caught the 'NSync bug just as badly as "little sister" Justine Franco, 9. They received concert tickets and passes for the soundcheck party.
"Baking cookies is fun, but this is way better," Malmberg said.
Alexis Larson, 15, who is from Las Vegas, joined El Paso and San Antonio cousins in a dance routine that they learned watching the superstars on television.
The girls all wore matching T-shirts that said, "Kiss Me," each shirt etched with the band member's names: Justin, Chris, JC, Lance and Joey.
Fans ogled 'NSync merchandise, ranging from less than $30 to $75 -- posters, pictures and disposable cameras.
By 6 p.m., the lines into the concert snaked around the stadium.
Marisela Ortega, 15, a Montwood High School junior, had been waiting in line for more than an hour.
"But it's all been worth it," Ortega said.
Carol Roberts Spence, director of special events for UTEP, said everything ran smoothly.
UTEP President Diana Natalicio did not worry about the crowds trampling the Sun Bowl's new multimillion-dollar turf.
"The good thing about artificial turf is that it doesn't die. This is exciting to see people coming in.
"It's good for El Paso," Natalicio said.
Barbara Hubbard, retired director of special events at New Mexico State University, brought granddaughter Kimberly Hubbard and some young friends to the concert.
The girls admitted -- like countless other area youngsters -- that they made up excuses and left school early.
"My dad told them I had a dentist appointment," said Alma Liberto, 9, a student at Mesilla Elementary School.
Lauren Mattiace, 9, a student at Hillrise Elementary in Las Cruces, said she did not want to brag so she did not tell her friends that she might see 'NSync up close. But Lauren didn't fool the school secretary.
"She just said bye, bye bye when I was leaving," Lauren said.
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