HispanicBusiness

"It's a big weekend," Byers said.

Many retailers offer sales and promotions to increase savings beyond what consumers get from the tax-free weekend, said Cindy Foght, area director of marketing for both Cielo Vista and Sunland Park malls.

"It's a great opportunity for shoppers," Foght said. "Retailers offer a lot of great deals to accommodate any family budget."

Cielo Vista will have a back-to-school expo on Saturday and Sunday. Sunland Park will have an expo on Saturday only.

The idea is to invite families to come to the mall and take advantage of specials but also provide family entertainment and showcase local talent, Foght said.

"It just makes it a fun weekend," Foght said.

Big crowds are also expected at the Outlet Shoppes at El Paso.

Visitors from New Mexico plan trips to El Paso just to take advantage of the tax-free weekend, said Gina Slechta, vice president of marketing for Horizon Group Properties, which manages the outlet mall.

"It's really a big thing," she said.

The outlet mall, though, won't have extended hours.

"Our regular hours are very aggressive, and we found that tax-free weekend is a time to shop with children," Slechta said.

Outlet mall shoppers will also have the opportunity to meet Iron Man on Saturday.

"It's been extremely busy in the past for us, and we're expecting it to be extremely busy this weekend," Slechta said. "People literally save up for this weekend."

To encourage shopping Downtown, the city of El Paso will waive parking meter fees for the tax-free weekend.

The city's International Bridge Department, which oversees the parking meter program, will offer free parking at all city parking meters Friday and Saturday. Parking meter fees are not collected on Sunday.

David Burge may be reached at dburge@elpasotimes.com; 546-6126. Follow him on Twitter @dburge1962.

Make plans

Lists of what qualifies for tax-exempt status during the Texas Sales Tax Holiday Weekend from Friday through Sunday can be found at TexasTaxHoliday.org.

Hours for local malls

Bassett Place

-- 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday.

Outlet Shoppes at El Paso

-- 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. Iron Man will meet customers from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Cielo Vista and Sunland Park malls

-- Extended hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; noon-8 p.m. Sunday. -- Cielo Vista will have a back-to-school expo Saturday and Sunday during mall hours. Dance exhibitions will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and fashion shows at 2 and 3 p.m. Sunday. -- Sunland Park Mall will have an expo from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday with a fashion show at 3 p.m. and entertainment by "Viva! El Paso." -- The Simon Kidgits Club will have activities from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at Cielo Vista and from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Sunland Park.

Office Depot

-- Stores in El Paso will be open 8 a.m. to midnight Friday with a special savings event from 9 p.m. to midnight. Regular hours Saturday (9 a.m.-9 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m.-7 p.m.). -- Office Depot is also trying to help teachers with its Teacher Appreciation Week that ends Saturday. All El Paso Office Depot stores will have a free breakfast for teachers from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday. -- Teachers are also eligible to receive 20 percent off regularly priced in-store purchases through Saturday.

JCPenney Cielo Vista Mall and far East Side stores

-- Hours: 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday; 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday. Downtown store

-- Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.