Hundreds of revelers crowded into Travis Park on Thursday night as Fiesta Fiesta, the free, family-friendly kickoff to Fiesta San Antonio, lit up downtown with live music, medal-sashed attendees and over-the-top hats. Flower crowns, cracked cascarones and the clack of medals set the mood for an 11-day run of parades, food and fundraisers.
Photographs from the opening ceremony, taken by Andrew J. Whitaker, captured the crush of color and crowds in the downtown park. As reported by the San Antonio Express-News, Fiesta marks its 135th anniversary this year, with more than 100 events that raise money for local nonprofits, and the festival continues through April 26.
According to Fiesta San Antonio, Fiesta Fiesta at Travis Park on April 16 ran from 4 to 10 p.m. and featured the People’s Parade, a military salute, Pin Pandemonium for medal trading and a drone show to close the night. The festival's official calendar lists times, ticketing and a map of more than 100 events across the city for anyone plotting out their Fiesta stamina.
What to expect this week
Local outlets lined up live coverage and guides for the weekend's big draws. KSAT noted it would stream Fiesta Fiesta and several parades, giving couch viewers a front-row experience, while Texas Public Radio offered a roundup of family-friendly and ticketed events across the 11-day schedule. Both outlets are serving up live or curated coverage to help visitors and locals figure out where to land next.
A party with a purpose
Organizers stress that Fiesta is more than a citywide blowout. Visit San Antonio notes that each official event is run by nonprofits and that funds raised support services year-round. That fundraising focus is a big reason medal trading, ticketed galas and other Fiesta staples remain firmly planted on the spring calendar.
History and traditions
Fiesta traces back to 1891, when a single Battle of Flowers parade honored the heroes of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto, a commemoration that eventually grew into today’s sprawling festival. Texas Public Radio and Fiesta archives detail how medals, towering hats and shoebox floats evolved into enduring Fiesta customs.
If you plan to go, expect downtown crowds and bring water and a medal or two to trade. For the full schedule, ticketing and maps, consult the official calendar from Fiesta San Antonio.
