Fiesta fever is hitting San Antonio, and it's not just the food and parades that have locals buzzing — it's also about the bling. San Antonio's very own Fiesta, a vibrant mash-up of culture, art, and celebration, has locals flaunting their 2024 Fiesta medals with all the fervor of a proud peacock. This year's participants are being encouraged to show off their loot, with FOX San Antonio asking folks to submit photos of their medals, whether they're gaudy, glitzy, or gloriously over-the-top.
In what's a clear nod to the celestial, the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is dropping its own headline-worthy medals, tying in with this year's once-in-a-lifetime solar eclipse. The UTSA 2024 Fiesta medal — crafted to commemorate the astronomical event that's got everyone looking skyward — features a unique, gear-like design showcasing the eclipse's various phases. Gris Campos, a multimedia designer for UTSA Marketing and Special Projects, spearheaded the medal's development alongside Joan Duncan of University Relations. Without missing a beat, Campos said, "This fun medal displays the different phases of an eclipse and incorporates movement into the design. I am extremely happy with the result and quality of the medal production. It is such a bright and colorful piece with special meaning to the UTSA community," according to the university's announcement.
But it's not just one medal on offer — UTSA is tripling down with a trifecta of commemorative swag. The UTSA Alumni Association and the Fiesta Arts Fair are also tossing their own shiny contributions into the Fiesta medal ring. The Alumni Association's design plays into the Fiesta Flambeau Parade's 'Lotsa Lotería' theme with a twist on the traditional Mexican game of lotería, brandishing an emblem featuring the university's mascot — a whimsical Roadrunner with legs jovially positioned to look like they're moving. "We think this medal is great take on Rowdy and the Roadrunner spirit," Russell Wagner, UTSA's assistant vice president of alumni engagement, boasted in a design that pumps up school spirit.
The third medal, this one celebrating the 2024 Fiesta Arts Fair, set to bring its artistic flair on April 20-21, is the handiwork of UTSA alumnus Cruz Ortiz. Ortiz, renowned for his contemporary Texas style, has conjured up a trendy piece of wearable art that's set to echo with Fiesta-goers and art enthusiasts alike. His acclaimed résumé in the San Antonio arts scene includes murals, public art installations, and politically charged posters – a background that's evidently shaped the design of a Fiesta Arts Fair medal bursting with local color and cultural pride. According to the same UTSA release, Ortiz's medals are designed to resonate with those looking to amp up their collection with a local touch.
Whether you're a die-hard collector, a UTSA alum, or just in it for the party, these medals are blurring the lines between tradition and innovation — quite fitting for a city that never misses a chance to throw one heck of a fiesta. This year, fans will have to act fast if they want to snag these limited-edition trinkets as they undoubtedly become some of the most sought-after pieces of metallic memorabilia of 2024 Fiesta.
