San Antonio’s "people’s king" gets his big moment tonight. Rey Feo LXXVII is set for a public crowning in downtown San Antonio on the Main Plaza in front of San Fernando Cathedral as part of Fiesta, with a short but lively ceremony that mixes mariachi music, a quick history lesson on the tradition and a reminder that this royal title is all about raising money for local scholarships.
KSAT will livestream the crowning at 5 p.m., and the station reports that KSAT anchor and Rey Feo Consejo member Ernie Zuniga will emcee the proceedings, which are open to anyone who wants to wander into the plaza. The broadcast will also feature mariachis and a rundown of how Rey Feo became a Fiesta staple, handy for newcomers trying to make sense of all the crowns and sashes.
Where and When
Main Plaza’s official listing has the public crowning slated for April 17, with a 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. window outside San Fernando Cathedral, according to Main Plaza Conservancy. Dr. Damaso Andrés Oliva Jr., listed as Rey Feo LXXVII, has his full Fiesta schedule and community outreach plans posted on his official page, per Rey Feo 77.
Rey Feo And Scholarships
The crown comes with homework. The Rey Feo Scholarship Foundation says it has awarded more than $10 million in scholarships to over 7,000 students since 1947, with the crowning and related appearances helping underwrite those awards, according to the Rey Feo Scholarship Foundation.
This year’s Fiesta also brings a tweak at Historic Market Square, home to Fiesta de Los Reyes. The City Council approved a $5 admission charge during peak hours, Axios reported. Historic Market Square’s event page confirms that Fiesta de Los Reyes will run across the usual April dates and that it is sponsored by the Rey Feo Consejo Educational Foundation, according to Historic Market Square.
If you cannot make it downtown, KSAT’s livestream is the easiest way to catch the crowning from home, and Rey Feo 77’s calendar lists additional Fiesta stops and scholarship events through the week. Expect a tight program on the plaza, then a natural flow of crowds toward Market Square and the rest of Fiesta’s packed schedule.
