Beginning at the end of this week, San Antonio transforms into something totally and festively different. You've probably noticed how everyone has multi-colored banners, or piñatas hung from trees around town, and if you're new to San Antonio, you're wondering what is going on. Surely this isn't just about spring. For the last 125 years, the month of April is filled with parties, parades, beautiful gowns, and cascarones (confetti eggs). Having taken part in Fiesta for most of my life, I consider myself a pretty good tour guide. I know that it can seem like an insiders club to many newcomers, but it isn't. If you want to experience one of the best things San Antonio has to offer, here is your beginner's guide to the nearly 160 events that are happening in the next two weeks:
1. The parades
From big to small, there are seven parades in all. The top three are the Texas Cavaliers River Parade, the Battle of Flowers Parade, and the Fiesta Flambeau night parade. These parades draw thousands of people to the Riverwalk and onto Broadway. 45,000 seats are available at the Battle of Flowers, winding throughout Broadway and towards the Alamo. It commemorates the fallen at the Battle of the Alamo. This is easily one of the most accessible of the 'big three'. Tickets are typically available at the parade for roughly 10$, sold by local scout troops or school groups as a fundraiser (you don't have to have a seat to watch the parade). Bring a hat, find a parking space, and come out for the fun. Keep a look out for the Trinity tiger balloon being walked by the San Antonio Alumni chapter!
The other two parades are a little harder. The Cavaliers River Parade is down on the Riverwalk, with the floats being on barges. It gets crowded, but it is worth it. Known as the most unusual parade in America, it attracts hundreds of thousands of people to watch over 40 floats drift along the river. Tickets are again starting at 10$, and parking can be rough, but if you are feeling festive, kick off Fiesta right and go down to see the sights.
Our last parade of the season is the Fiesta Flambeau. While the river parade might be the most unusual, the Flambeau is the brightest. It is the largest night parade in the country, attracting close to a million people in person and another 1.5 million watching from their homes on tv. Lead by the UT band, last year the grand marshal was the Most Interesting Man In The World, and there are Mexican Drum and Bugle corps intermixed. It is an experience of a lifetime. Tickets are nearly impossible to get at this point, but standing is completely allowed and is actually pretty fun.
While these are the three biggest parades, there are five smaller parades including a pet parade and a 5K and parade. They are all equally as fun, just on a smaller scale. I recommend the King William Parade and Art Fair - it's nestled into the Historic King William district a few miles off campus, put on by the neighborhood association, and is followed by a fun fair.
2. The Festivals and fairs
Held at our neighboring University of the Incarnate Word - Alamo Heights Night is this week. Admission is $12, you get access to some of San Antonio's top food vendors, live music, a variety of beer, and then activities like laser tag, face painting (never too old to be a kid), and much more. It's an easy walk from campus, and it's a night of fun.
Fiesta Oyster Bake is a San Antonio tradition. This year, over 100,000 oysters will be served up at St. Mary's University, to a wide variety of live (loud) music and fireworks to end the night. It's $25 at the door, this event draws a crowd to raise money for scholarships. And, if you don't like oysters, don't worry, there are 70 other vendors serving up a wide variety of food.
If you have been here more than one year, odds are you have heard of NIOSA or Night In Old San Antonio. This is the largest cultural preservation festival in the nation (picking up on the theme of Fiesta? Lots of 'largest in the nation' things going on). Spread out over four nights, this event draws crazy crowds. As a person who really has to be in the right mindset for huge crowds, this is not one of my top events, but you can't talk about Fiesta without it. Tucked into La Villita - the historic village downtown - there are few better places to learn and experience the San Antonio culture. $15 at the gate.
If you have been looking for an excuse to go down onto the Riverwalk and get a margarita or some great food, I highly recommend you go on one of the nights of the Ford Mariachi Festival. Local and not so local high school mariachi bands take over the barges and will float while you walk or dine. It's free other than what you buy for food or drinks, which means it can be totally free if you just want to walk with your friends. I know it's not for everyone, but it is pretty fun.
Lastly, if you're a band nerd or love marching band music, at our sometimes parking lot Alamo Stadium, the Battle of Flowers Band Festival is worth walking across the street for. At only 5$, you can see 30 bands compete for the crown.
3. Parking
All of the events draw a pretty big crowd, and one thing that gives a lot of people pause is parking or cost of parking or dealing with the crowds. For 2.50, VIA busses are offering a Park and Ride service. Check it out as an option before you blow off going to some of the events because you're afraid to park.
I will warn you, though, the parking can be an experience. It can be stressful to find a spot, but many families open up their driveways for a few dollars and usually, they will be there all night so you know it will be secure. Grab a few friends and carpool if you decide to drive.
4. Food
No giant party is complete without copious amounts of food that a dietician would frown upon. Funnel cake, chocolate dipped strawberries, jumbo turkey legs, and so much more. If you have ever wanted it fried - you can find it. If it can be put on a stick - you can definitely find it. So far the Chicken on a Stick fiesta medal is winning the Best Medal of the Year award. Almost all of the festivals have copious amounts of food involved, so if you are a good Texan foodie, GO!
5. Fiesta Medals
Trinity sells their Cat in a Beer Cap medals, the bookstore is selling a medal with the Trinity Fiesta tiger balloon, almost everyone has a Fiesta medal this year! Some people have collections dating back to their very first Fiesta, others just collect them when they see one they like, but each Fiesta medal is a unique piece of history! If you've ever been to Disney World, then you've heard of pin trading. Fiesta medals are a little more complex than that, but sometimes you will find people eager to trade. Get the medals that mean something to you, get the ones that make you laugh, have a competition with your friends to see how many you can all snag. Wear these beauties with pride!
It's a lot of information, but get out of the Trinity Bubble and go experience Fiesta - particularly on this, it's 125th year. If you do, there's one saying you need to know - ¡VIVA FIESTA!
