Alamo City Moms Blog’s Guide to Fiesta

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year….in San Antonio, that is!  A rich part of San Antonio’s personality is made up by our annual celebration, Fiesta. We’ve showed you how to get ready for Fiesta, but with the ALL of the different events taking place around the city, it’s hard to know which Fiesta events to attend. Alamo City Moms Blog has worked hard to put together your Guide to Fiesta 2014. We’ve done the leg work, attended the events, taken notes from years past, and are supplying you with all you need to know to have the best Fiesta 2014 possible! So get your calendars out and start your Fiesta planning!

VIVA FIESTA!

photo 4Fiesta Fiesta at the Alamo a.k.a. Pin Pandemonium: April 10, 5PM-9PM at the Alamo
The official opening of Fiesta 2014 takes place on the steps of the Alamo. There are food trucks, live music, and Fiesta royalty.
ACMB Tip: Bring your littles in their Fiesta-wear. While pins are available for purchase in Pin Pandemonium, many Fiesta-goers are trading pins or giving them away for free! Our kids came home decked out with pins!


 

Alamo Heights Night: Friday, April 11, 5:30pm – 11:30pm at University of the Incarnate Word
www.alamoheightsnight.org
Festival food, bands, and a carnival make this event a Friday night out for the whole family.
ACMB Tip: Go early! Bring a stroller or a wagon for your kids. Plan to eat dinner there as there are tons of options to choose from and then head out early when the crowds start to get thick.


Any Baby Can Walk for Autism: Saturday, April 12, 7am – 11am, AT&T Center
www.walkforautismsa.com
This family-friendly two mile walk will offer games and activities for kids of all ages.
ACMB Tip: Keep your eyes out for ACMB Contributor Amy!


Family Fun Day Sunday: Sunday, April 13, 1pm – 5pm, Tom C. Clark High School
If you are looking for a low-key Fiesta event, this is one to pick.  Highlights include Fiesta’s Shortest Parade, performances by the Clark High School Band and Jazz Band (Claw ’em Coogs!), and games made just for kids. Admission is free and with the high school parking lot, you’ll have no trouble parking. 
ACMB Tip: There isn’t an overwhelming amount of activity so you really only need an hour or so for this event but the parade is the highlight.


Witte Museum: April 17-27
www.WitteMuseum.org
Do you have a little that’s fascinated by all things sparkly? Plan a visit to the Witte. During Fiesta, the Witte is taken over by gowns from Queens of the past as they celebrate Fairytale Fiesta.
ACMB Tip: Visit on Tuesdays from 3pm-8pm when admission is free.


fiesta arts fair hallFiesta Arts Fair: April 19, 10am – 6pm & April 20, 11am – 5pm, Southwest School of Art
www.swschool.org.
Held on the beautiful grounds of the Southwest School of Art, this art fair is truly fun for the whole family. When the gates open, head to the Children’s Art Garden so that the kids can start doing their favorite crafts before it gets crowded. Offering a variety of art booths and vendors, you can purchase unique pieces while you are there. La Gloria and La Fruteria will be on hand selling margaritas, beer, and various Mexican food items. There are also several areas with live music.
ACMB Tip: Get to the Arts Fair when the gates open. Get there early, get your food/drink/activity tickets, and leave before it gets crazy-crowded.


Texas Cavaliers River Parade: Monday, April 21, 7pm – 9:30pm, San Antonio River Walk
Held in the evening along the majestic San Antonio River, you know the temperatures will be comfortable for this evening parade. The floats are lit up and many have live bands. It’s a great way to reconnect with the River Walk and enjoy a spring evening.
ACMB Tip: Purchase your tickets early here for the best options on seats. The parade starts at the Southwest Craft Center at 7:00 and families with children may want to look for seats that are in the early part of the parade.


Fiesta Tips--NIOSA 001A Night In Old San Antonio or NIOSA: April 22-25, 5:30pm – 10:30pm, La Villita
One of the most popular—and also one of the most crowded—Fiesta events, NIOSA sprawls through the streets of La Villita downtown.  The festival is nternational-themed but is best know for the food! We recommend making it an adults event since strollers aren’t allowed and there’s a chance your little ones might get a beer spilled on their head.  But if you can’t find a sitter and still want to go, Clown Alley is the perfect block for kids, featuring carnival-style games that even the youngest children can enjoy. Tickets are $3 when purchased in advance and kids 12 and under are free.
ACMB Tips: First stop: Purchase plenty of food and drink tickets. Second stop: Beer. Third stop: Maria’s Tortillas (the line gets crazy long as the evening progresses). If it gets hot or you need to sit a spell, stop into the Villita Assembly Building (a.k.a. Germany during NIOSA). Go on an “off night”.  While Thursday and Friday are almost too crowded to enjoy, Tuesday and Wednesday nights are the best way to avoid the massive crowds. Don’t drive – take Park n’ Ride.


IMG_7475Taste of the Northside: April 23, 5:30pm – 10:30pm, The Club at Sonterra
www.BrightonSA.org
If the thought of fighting traffic to get downtown during Fiesta makes you queasy, try this event located in the Stone Oak/Sonterra Area. Featuring over 60 local restaurants, beer, wine and margaritas and live music, this adult-friendly event is a great date night out. Tickets are on the higher end at $60 each, but you’ll get your moneys worth with the food and beverage.
ACMB Tips: Arrive early. If you know someone who lives in the Sonterra neighborhood, see if you can park at their house! The food tents at the top run out of food first, so map out what you want to eat or drink and then plan accordingly. If you’re done eating and drinking, you can trade in your remaining tickets for bottles of water.


photo 2 copyFamily Fiesta: Thursday, April 24, 5pm – 9pm, Colonial Hills Methodist Church
www.chumc.org
One of THE most family friendly events during Fiesta, Colonial Hills Methodist Church offers a non-alcoholic, non-smoking event that is made specifically for kids. Bounce houses, train rides, a petting zoo and carnival games will keep your kids entertained through evening. The event is free, as is parking.
ACMB Tip: When you arrive, head straight to the ticket booth and stock up on tickets. Stick a few lawn chairs in your car. Parking is close to the event so when you’re done with the games, you can grab your chairs out of your car and sit back and enjoy the evening.


photo 2Battle of Flowers Parade: Friday, April 25, 11:30am – 4pm
www.battleofflowers.org
Known as the event that started Fiesta, this year’s Battle of Flowers theme is The Magic of Make Believe. This event is a MUST for any San Antonian and a rich part of the history of our city. Beads and candy will be thrown, music will keep the kids dancing and you’ll hear the familiar cries of “SHOW US YOUR SHOES” as the Fiesta royalty keeps crowds entertained with what they have on their feet (you’ll see everything from cowboy boots to sneakers to house shoes!). This is the first year that tickets have been available online.  They can be purchased here.
ACMB Tip: Wear hats and sunscreen and bring extra sunscreen to reapply throughout the afternoon. Pack plenty of water but don’t forget lunch or snacks to munch on while the parade goes on. Chances are, you’ll have to walk a fair distance after parking. Bring a stroller and a cooler on wheels to make your trip a little easier. While seats under the shade are hard to come by due to legacy ticket holders, umbrellas are only allowed on the top row so purchase tickets in the back and bring an umbrella to create your own shade! It might sound silly, but purchase an extra seat to store coolers and strollers – you won’t be sorry you did!


pooch parade 2Pooch Parade: Saturday, April 26, 8am – 11am, Alamo Heights Pool
Held every year at the Alamo Heights Swimming Pool, this event is fun for the whole family–including the four-legged-ones. People dress their pets in wacky costumes and walk a 5K through the shaded streets of Alamo Heights.  You can partipate in the parade by registering your dog ahead of time or at 8am the morning of the walk.  There is an entry fee for pets.  This event is so much fun to participate in but even fun to walk. Houses along the parade route host lawn parties for family and friends wanting to enjoy the parade.
ACMB Tip: For parade watchers, park on Cardinal, College, Evans or Lamont and walk down to La Jara Boulevard. Set up chairs in the middle part of the Boulevard. Bring breakfast along to enjoy while the pooches parade by!


photo 3King William Parade and Fair: Saturday, April 26, 9am – 6pm, King William District
Set among the breathtaking historic homes of King William, this neighborhood parade and fair has long been a favorite of locals. People have caught on and the crowds have gotten huge in the past few years.  The King William Parade is one of the most eclectic and entertaining of Fiesta parades and the Festival boasts a great kids zone (but beware, it is pricey).
ACMB Tips:  Unless you have friends that live in the area and host a private party, we suggest doing one of two things. 1. Enjoy the parade towards the front of the parade route.  It kicks off at the corner of Eagleland and E. Guenther promptly at 9am. Bring lawn chairs and arrive early to claim a spot close to the street.  Once the parade is over, stroll over to a local King William business like Friendly Spot or Rosario’s for a bite to eat to skip the festival crowds.  2. Head to the Kid’s Zone while the parade is going on.  The festival and Kid’s Zone gets super busy as soon as the parade is over but you can score some quality time on the games and rides while the parade is going on. But be sure to get there early.  Once the parade starts, it’s hard to cross the parade route to get from one side of the festival to the other.


Fiesta Flambeau Parade: Saturday, April 26, 7:15pm – 11pm
www.fiestaflambeauparade.org
Flambeau is a great alternative to Battle of Flowers because it’s always cooler at night. It’s one of the largest illuminated parades in the U.S. and Longhorn fans always love seeing their marching band lead the parade each year. This is a great evening parade for families who enjoy parade floats and marching bands.
ACMB Tip: Hit up the Dollar Store for glow in the dark necklaces and bracelets so that your kids fit right in to the glowing theme of the parade.

So tell us, what’s your favorite Fiesta event?  Or if you’ve never been, what do you plan on attending to break yourself in?

Brooke
Brooke graduated high school from right here in San Antonio. After twelve years of living everywhere from Colorado to Greece, London to Atlanta, she and her husband have made San Antonio home and have become parents to their daughter and son. Brooke loves finding undiscovered activities around the city and dragging her kids along! She is a runner, an amateur cook that loves trying out San Antonio’s growing culinary scene and is actively involved in non-profit organizations in San Antonio.

4 COMMENTS

  1. We always go to Market.. We love Market… We used to go to King Williams but the streets are so narrow and it it way too crowded so we will skip that this year.. Last year my boys and husband went to Oyster Bake.. they loved it… Def looking for something for the husband and I to do wo the kids for one event…

  2. As a Churchill grad, I have a hard time living in Clark Country…but their event sounds great! We’ll also be doing the Family Fiesta event. 🙂

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