Concerned Citizens

We’re trying a new approach in spreading Fiesta fun and information this year through social media. This year you can become a member of the Fiesta Facebook page or follow Fiesta on Twitter (@FiestaSA). We’ll also be using the Twitter hash tag (#fiesta). Through these two channels Anne Cannon, PR director for the Commission, and I will be posting the latest information we have during the ten day festival. So far the results have been incredible. Last night I was walking around the Opening Ceremonies tweeting up the latest information such as when the 82nd Airborne All-American Chorus took the stage. More on them in a second. The bottom line is that for an event as social as Fiesta social media IS the right way to promote it.

Fiesta, at its core, is about people having fun with friends, family and making new acquaintances. It’s a time when San Antonio takes a week off to celebrate the sacrifice of Texians at the Battle of San Jacinto and to enjoy the diverse culture that makes San Antonio so special. During these ten days San Antonians will be singing, dancing, eating, drinking, running, walking, floating, and just about any other action you can think of. We do it over 4 million times every year (the number of participants) and help contribute over $284 million back into the San Antonio economy.

Last night when the 82nd Airborne All-American Chorus took the stage I stepped back and tweeted it up. The tweets hit both the Twitter account and the Facebook page. Later that night I pulled up the Facebook page to see comments on that tweet of “These guys were fantastic when I saw them two years ago!” and “They were GREAT!” People connected with each other just around that tweet. Now that’s the true spirit of Fiesta. By the way, if you get the chance to listen to the Chorus take the time. The guys are amazing and put on one of the best acapella shows you’ll find anywhere. They’re all active duty soldiers and enter harms way overseas along with their fellow soldiers. They just use their talents to help spread some fun while in uniform.

For those unfamiliar with this type of social media it’s called microblogging. It involves sending short messages of 140 characters or less to services like Twitter or Facebook. The message could be information, comments, or just about anything you can think of. The point is that you have to condense that message to 140 characters (less if you add the hash tag). It’s instant and live in many cases so those that follow it get a sense of the moment and connect on a personal level.

I’ll be tweeting more this weekend as I wander around Fiesta at the various events, if I can keep up the energy level. I originally thought this was going to be a simple task. I guess I’m starting to get old because I was worn out by the time the 82nd Airborne performed. I guess I’ll have to just suck it up, Fiesta style, and have some fun with it. Watch for the tweets and updates as the week progresses. Viva Fiesta!