Concerned Citizens

Today starts the beginning of the annual festival called Fiesta San Antonio. This year the opening ceremonies is being held on the eve of the ten days to help mark the 50th anniversary of the creation of the Fiesta San Antonio Commission. A big celebration is planned in Alamo Plaza starting at 5:30 p.m. and ending with fireworks around 10 p.m. Starting Friday over 100 events will occur throughout the city celebrating the diverse culture that makes up San Antonio. During those events San Antonians and visitors to the city will indulge in eating, drinking, partying and about everything else in between. But Fiesta means so much more than the parties.

Started over 100 years ago by a small group of women formed to commemorate the visit of President Harrison to San Antonio, the Battle of Flowers Association became the cornerstone of the celebration. After the celebration was rained out the group held a small parade around the Alamo pelting each other with flowers. It became an annual event and has evolved into the grand parade held the last Friday of April through the streets of San Antonio. As more and more celebrations were added to the list the city decided to create the Fiesta San Antonio Commission in 1959 to help coordinate city services and promote the festival.

Today over 100 organizations stage events or serve host to groups as Participating Member Organizations. Fiesta by-laws state these organizations must be non-profit and contribute back to the community in some way. The organizations range from the Battle of Flowers Association to the San Antonio Conservation Society. For some organizations Fiesta serves as their largest fundraiser of the year. As Gloria Ray, former president of the Commission states, “Fiesta is the party that keeps on giving.”

I’ve been involved with Fiesta for 17 years in various capacities from working in the store to developing the online presence to serving as an Elected Commissioner. This year marks the last year of my three year term on the Commission. While I’ve enjoyed the three years I really wish I could have done so much more for the Commission during that time. It has helped set the stage for some future projects I would like to start in the coming years such as develop a chartitable impact study to help promote the charitable good that Fiesta provides for San Antonio every year.

For those who are new to San Antonio or are visiting Fiesta can be an intimidating experience. Over 4 million people will participate in the 100 events. Understand some of those people are actually the same person participating in multiple events. However, the attendance at Fiesta is among the largest in the nation. The three parades will host over 1 million by themselves. Fiesta has so much to offer for people it’s hard to just attend one event and be satisfied.

Here are a few events you might consider if you’re not familiar with Fiesta or need something away from the mainstream. For kids, I recommend the Fiesta Arts Fair held the first weekend at the Southwest Craft Center by the Main Library. Park in the library parking garage and walk across the street. The Fair is full of juried art for purchase by vendors from across the nation. The atmosphere is laid back and relaxed as you wander through the many aisles of art. At the back of the Center on the banks of the river is the children’s area by the gazebo. Kids can have fun making their own art under the supervision of patient volunteers. It’s really a great experience for the family.

For those who might want a little Cajun fair stop by the Taste of New Orleans at the Sunken Gardens. There you can get your fill of gumbo, jambalaya, shrimp on a stick or crawfish etoufee. On stage will be a number of jazz performers providing musical entertainment throughout the day. You can sit in the seats of the Sunken Garden and relax with your family. There’s also a children’s area with various rides and activities for the kids.

For the dog lovers, there’s the Fiesta Pooch Parade held on the last Saturday of Fiesta at the Alamo Heights Pool. Dogs and their owners can enjoy a small festival before the parade with activities from most creative dog costume to pet adoption services. Over 500 dogs will come together in this canine parade. I’ve been several years and continue to be amazed how friendly the dogs can be. There’s hardly ever a fight during the event and the kids love the experience.

There’s a lot more to Fiesta so the easiest way is to visit the Fiesta Commission website to see what you might enjoy.