As the prestigious Fiesta festivities kick off in San Antonio, thousands of attendees are set to swarm the downtown area, greeted by a symphony of construction sounds and the bright orange of traffic cones. 

Fiesta's cherished events like A Night In Old San Antonio (NIOSA) and the Battle of Flowers Parade will have to contend with the maze of construction reshaping some of the city's streets. City officials predict the festival will draw throngs downtown over the coming weeks, despite the ongoing construction near La Villita squeezing traffic into tight detours. 

April Smith, a long-time champion of NIOSA's Frontier Town, voiced her determination to KENS5, saying, “We are open and totally accessible for the public,” while a city spokesperson urged celebrants to stay informed about the road closures and parking options. According to the same KENS5 report, the Downtown Tuesday free parking program will be unavailable on April 23, but the City Tower Garage keeps the festive spirit alive with free parking on Sundays.

The city's construction dance card is full, with projects like the South Alamo Street Project stemming from the 2017-2022 Bond Program leading the charge. As a result, navigating to the Fiesta parades—hemmed in by the likes of South Alamo Street and Market Square—will be a bit like finding your way through an urban labyrinth, a labyrinth under continuous renovation. KSAT's breakdown of the situation indicates that, despite the closures, VIA's Park & Ride remains a pocket-friendly alternative, offering fares at $1.30 for a one-way ticket. Also, for those who prefer swiping right on their transport options, rideshares are still in the mix. And with KSAT underscoring the closures at NIOSA and Market Square, including San Saba and Commerce Streets, strategists and partiers alike will need to hone their detour-navigation skills.

Despite the cacophony of construction, the city has a plan packed with ways to get around and enjoy Fiesta's offerings from April 18 to April 28. A savvier San Antonio awaits on the other side of this temporary upheaval, promising wider roads and better infrastructure in the future. But until the dust settles, it's wise to anticipate disruptions, check the city's guidance website for parking and road closures, and above all, keep your Fiesta spirits high.