By Edmond Ortiz
Fiesta, San Antonio’s annual 11-day citywide party, officially gets underway April 16.
While Fiesta veterans have their favorite, longtime events, there are still changes, helpful tips, and unofficial Fiesta happenings to keep in mind this time around.
Out and about
A majority of Fiesta events take place in downtown or the urban core, but there are some activities being held in outlying communities. Here are a select few:
UTSA Dia En La Sombrilla
Formerly Fiesta UTSA, this event lets student organizations at UT San Antonio sell refreshments, host games and provide services for partygoers on campus. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. April 17. Admission is free. Main Campus/Sombrilla Plaza and Central Plaza
Texas Corvette Association Annual Car Show
This event showcases cars of all kinds of makes and models. Half of proceeds from event ticket and shirt sales and Fiesta medal sales go to benefit St. Jude’s Ranch for Children. There will also be food, drinks and shopping opportunities with vendors. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. April 18. Admission is free. Main Plaza, 100 N. Main St., Boerne
Fiesta Castle Hills
This family friendly event in the North Side suburb kicks off with a parade, and goes forward with live music, food, a petting zoo, arts and crafts, and a children’s activity area. Proceeds benefit Roy Maas Youth Alternatives, and the Rey Feo Scholarship Foundation. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 18. Admission is free. Parade begins and ends near Castle Hills City Hall campus, 209 Lemonwood Drive, and the route includes a portion of Northwest Military Highway. The rest of the event will be held at the City Hall campus.
Kings’ Cup Polo Party
Polo teams from across Texas compete for the Fiesta Kings Cup at a far North Side venue. Attendees will enjoy access to a buffet luncheon, drinks, a fancy hat contest, silent auction and table games. Noon-4 p.m. 490 Specht Road. Tickets start at $275; VIP tent space available. Proceeds benefit the San Antonio Foundation for Equine Education, and the San Antonio Polo Club.
Walk for Autism
Any Baby Can’s benefit is designed to raise awareness and funds to provide services and support to families raising individuals on the spectrum. 1-6 p.m. April 18. Admission is free. Retama Park, 1 Retama Pkwy., Selma
Chanclas y Cervezas
This Southeast Side, family friendly event at Brooks involves chancla-throwing competitions, food, music, photo opportunities and face painting. Adults also get to enjoy some select beers. Proceeds benefit Brooks Gives Back, which supports South Side nonprofits and neighborhoods. 5-11 p.m. April 18. Admission: $15-$20. 2532 Sidney Brooks Drive
Incognito
Urban-15’s masked dance party includes a performance-based costume contest with winners judged on design, concept, and performance presentation. Music and dance provided by Urban-15. There will also be food. 8-11 p.m. April 24. Tickets: $25 per person; tables available. Jaime’s Place, 1514 W. Commerce St.
Fiesta East
One of the younger Fiesta events is all about showcasing San Antonio’s East Side. There will be food, drinks, music, rides, and community organizations providing information about their services. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. April 25. Admission is free. Comanche Park, 2600 Rigsby Road.
Festival de Cascarones
Texas A&M University San Antonio is the setting for the official Fiesta finale. The family and pet-friendly event features foods, games, live music and a kids’ zone. 1-8 p.m. April 26. Admission is free; parking: $10 (card only). 1 University Way
Friendly reminders
Dedicated bus rides
VIA Metropolitan Transit is again offering affordable, direct bus rides to and from Oyster Bake, A Taste of New Orleans, Night In Old San Antonio, King William Fair, and all three major parades. VIA Park and Ride fare is $1.30 each way for adults with discounts for students and active-duty military. Senior citizens are charged a fare of $.65 each way during weekdays, and no fare on Saturdays and Sundays.
Fee at Fiesta de los Reyes
Following City Council approval, organizers of Fiesta de los Reyes, held daily April 17-26 at Market Square, are implementing an entry fee at what has long been a free-admission event. The $5 cover charge will be enforced after 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and after 1 p.m. Fridays-Sundays. Children ages 12-under will be admitted free while accompanied by a ticketed adult. An eight-day pass is also available for $25.
Learn to save a life, earn a Fiesta medal
Methodist Healthcare personnel will offer free hands-on CPR training to attendees at the April 16 Fiesta Fiesta kickoff, and during the April 24 Battle of Flowers Parade and April 25 Flambeau Parade. The training sessions are designed to help community members build the confidence to respond in a cardiac emergency. The first 5,000 people who complete the training will receive a commemorative Methodist Healthcare Fiesta medal. Training will be available April 16 at Travis Park, 300 E. Travis St., and during the parades at Madison Square Park, 400 Lexington Ave.
Free river parade viewing party
The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts will host a free viewing party for the Texas Cavaliers’ Fiesta River Parade. From 6-8:30 p.m. April 20, community members may gather at Will’s Plaza for a prime spot to enjoy the floating parade entries. Event partners Lyft and Sun Cruiser will be on-site with activations, and new Lyft riders can take advantage of a special promotion. The Tobin Center is located at 100 Auditorium Circle.
Non-official parties
While not officially sanctioned by the Fiesta San Antonio Commission, there are many events that are open to the public and designed to get attendees in the Fiesta spirit:
Fiesta Sip and Shop
Alamo Quarry Market invites community members to visit their favorite stores, enjoy curated bites, and sample beer and wine. A $25 donation guarantees each participant a Fiesta medal, a complimentary swag bag, and a stemless wine glass. Proceeds benefit the local animal welfare nonprofit Spay-Neuter-Inject-Protect San Antonio. 5-8 p.m. April 15. 255 E. Basse Road
Taste of the Medical Center
This Northwest Side tasting event will have representation from restaurants, food trucks and pop-up vendors stationed across the Medical Center area. Guests will enjoy sampling a variety of foods, as well as live music. Participating eateries, food trucks and vendors will compete for the People’s Choice Award and a $1,000 grand prize. The event is open to only people ages 21-up. There will be $5 beer and cocktail specials. 6-11 p.m. April 15. Tickets: $43.72 (includes taxes and fees.) Alamo Biscuit Co. and Panaderia, 9630 Huebner Road.
Castle Hills Fiesta Kickoff
Castle Hills community members are invited to their local IBC Bank to enjoy refreshments, entertainment and a chance to score a medal. 5-7 p.m. April 16. Admission is free. 2201 NW Military Hwy., Castle Hills
Viva 4 Paws
This family and pet-friendly event includes a Fiesta pet costume contest, a DJ, face painting, refreshments, and a Fiesta hat contest. 12:30-3:30 p.m. April 18. Admission is free. 4 Paws Animal Hospital, 3630 S.E. Military Drive, Suite 100
¡Pachanga at Pullman!
This bash will offer Fiesta-style fun at Pullman Market near Pearl. There will be two stages of live music, featuring headlining `90s alt-rock bands Eve 6 and Fastball. Attendees can also enjoy food, beverages, market vendors, artisans, sweet treats, a petting zoo, and hands-on activations. Proceeds benefit the Rey Feo Scholarship Fund. Noon-5 p.m. April 18. Tickets: $36.64. 221 Newell Ave.
Breakfast for the Brave
Breakfast for the Brave is designed to provide families an easy, welcoming way to participate in Fiesta while celebrating veterans, active-duty service members, first responders, and their families. There will be live entertainment from Mariachi Nuevo Estilo and Fort Sam’s Own 323d Army Band, a kids’ zone, a resource row with local organizations offering support services for veterans, first responders, and families, a local vendor market featuring veteran- and first responder-owned small businesses, and appearances from Fiesta royalty and other special guests. Approximately 150 veterans, active service members, and first responders will receive complimentary breakfast, and breakfast will also be available for purchase for all attendees. Proceeds supports Endeavors programs for veterans, first responders, and military families across Bexar County. 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. April 18. Admission is free. The Rock at La Cantera, 1 Spurs Way.
Old South San Parade and Block Party
South San Independent School District co-presents this Fiesta-inspired event, which starts with a neighborhood parade beginning at the St. Joseph Catholic Church parking lot, 535 New Laredo Hwy., and proceeds on West Southcross Boulevard to the Dwight Middle School parking lot, 2454 W. Southcross Blvd. Along the route, there will also be a family friendly block party involving entertainment, refreshments, representatives from community organizations and vendors, scholarship awards, drawings and more. 3-8 p.m. April 18. Admission is free.
Fiesta Frolic
Olmos Park’s Fiesta Frolic is a small-scale, easygoing, family friendly event involving entertainment, games and refreshments at the Alameda Circle pocket park in the heart of the Midtown suburb. 1-3 p.m. April 19. Admission is free.
Little Nighthawks Fiesta Fun Night
Northeast Lakeview College will host a Fiesta-themed, family friendly community event with refreshments, small rides, games, a bounce house, a petting zoo, community resources, and a contest where Little Mr. and Little Miss Fiesta will be crowned. 4-8 p.m. April 23. Admission is free and open to the public. NLC Academic Plaza, 1201 Kitty Hawk Road, Universal City
Balcones Heights Fiesta
The city of Balcones Heights will present its first Fiesta-style celebration at the Wonderland of the Americas Mall. Visitors can expect food, beverages, family fun, and entertainment from performers such as Tejano legend Gary Hobbs, and Mariachi Vargas de San Antonio. 4-10 p.m. April 24. Admission is free, but RSVPs are appreciated. 4522 Fredericksburg Road, Balcones Heights
Viva Pearl
Viva Pearl offers curated vendors, hands-on crafts, and live musical entertainment for visitors at the end of the Battle of the Flowers Parade. 4-9 p.m. April 24. Admission is free. 303 Pearl Pkwy.
Fiesta Finale
St. Peter Prince of the Apostles Catholic Church will host this Fiesta-inspired program, featuring sausage wraps, tacos and chicken-on-a-stick sales, Bingo games, and kids’ activities. Noon-3 p.m. April 26. Admission is free. 111 Barilla Place, Alamo Heights
Viva El Bosque
An inaugural Fiesta-style event at Arboretum San Antonio, a developing South Side educational and recreational natural destination, will be a celebration of trees and their relationship with birds. Attendees learn about birding on the artist bird walk with Mark Menjivar, screen print with artist Jose Sotelo, or take a pruning principles class with a certified arborist, and snag a free tree at the tree giveaway. There will also be a DJ, a natural playscape, kids’ activities, and representatives from local educational, nature- and environmental-centric organizations. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. April 26. Admission is free, but registration is encouraged. 4226 S.E. Military Drive
Cornapalooza Fiesta Party
Casa Navarro State Historic Site will host this Fiesta-inspired event with live music, food, historical demonstrations, storytelling, lotería games and prizes, and more. Noon-4 p.m. April 26. 228 S. Laredo St.
