In a divisive world, Fiesta unites. That was the message of Fiesta San Antonio’s annual media day event Tuesday morning at the Estancia del Norte hotel on San Antonio’s North Side, announcing this year’s theme of “Fiesta for all.”
“That’s what San Antonio is all about. Everyone is included,” Fiesta Commission President Richard Sparr announced to a roomful of costumed and uniformed celebrants.
Fiesta will run April 18-28 with more than 100 official events scheduled throughout the city.
Executive Director Steve Rosenauer emphasized how inclusive the festival is in terms of how many nonprofit organizations — more than 100 this year — participate to raise charitable funds for their causes.
This year’s King Anbarkio Scout and King Anbarkio in Waiting Bacon were on hand, festooned in Texas Cavaliers-style parade costumes to promote the 25th annual Pooch Parade on April 27, run by Therapy Animals of San Antonio.
The San Antonio AIDS Foundation was promoting the annual WEBB Party, to be held this year at the Witte Museum on April 19, and United San Antonio Pow Wow Inc. was on hand to feature the annual pow wow scheduled for April 20 at San Antonio College.
New participating organizations this year are Eva’s Heroes, dedicated to enriching the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, and Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club with the Motocicleta motorcycle show April 19-20.
“We’re excited every year to welcome new organizations into official Fiesta status,” Rosenauer said. “We’re looking forward to a lot of celebration while the organizations are raising money for their charities.”
Also new this year, the opening Fiesta Fiesta carnival will take place for the first time at the Alamodome’s H-E-B plaza. All official Fiesta events are listed on the commission’s website events calendar.
A Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA) spokesperson Jeanne Albrecht said Fiesta traditions are also important. “It doesn’t change,” she said of the four-night festival at La Villita running April 23-26. “So you know if you want to go get your favorite food or see your favorite band, that’s where they’re gonna be.”
For 76 years, NIOSA has raised funds for the Conservation Society of San Antonio.
In a statement, Sparr summed up the intention of the “party with a purpose,” as Fiesta is known.
“The ripple effect of our collective efforts reaches every corner of our community, creating a tapestry of goodwill and empowerment,” he said.
