Be Entertained

It is that time of year again! Fiesta® is back, bigger and better, with a full-scale schedule of events that is twice as big as last year’s trimmed down festivities. So, grab a cold beverage and a prime spot downtown near the river and enjoy these live events featured during San Antonio’s biggest cultural celebration of the year.

A NIGHT IN OLD SAN ANTONIO (NIOSA)

Come join the downtown fun of A Night In Old San Antonio, one of Fiesta’s largest and most popular events, as it celebrates the city’s diverse cultural legacy over four festive nights. A long-standing tradition that began in 1938 as a one-night street fair, NIOSA has become a major annual attraction catering to more than 85,000 revelers annually. This year’s 73rd celebration, which starts on April 5 and runs through April 8 rain or shine, is sponsored by the Conservation Society of San Antonio and held in the downtown historic arts village of La Villita located on the banks of the San Antonio River, right along the River Walk.

NIOSA 2022 will host a vast venue of delicious cuisine, live entertainment and more from 5:30 until 10:30pm, all centered on the cultures that helped make the Alamo City the place it is today. Festivities will also include atmosphere booths, live music, children’s games, decorations and souvenirs. Food is created, perfected and prepared by NIOSA volunteers in certified NIOSA kitchens. All of the booths are run by Conservation Society volunteers, many of whom are second or thirdgeneration volunteers.

This year’s party will feature 14 culturally themed areas where festival goers can enjoy potstickers in China Town, curly Q fries at Clown Alley or indulge in their choice of pralines, Mr. Chicken (skewered fried chicken with a jalapeno) or frog legs at Froggy Bottom, just to name a few.

As it did last year, NIOSA is going cashless by bringing back the Blastpass system, which will allow revelers to load up a wristband with their admission and funds to buy food and drinks. All proceeds from the event benefit the Conservation Society of San Antonio, one of the oldest and most active community preservation groups in the United States. The Society helps to fund programs at various museums around the city, as well as the historic districts. Parking and ticket information are available on the NIOSA website.

THE TEXAS CAVALIERS RIVER PARADE

This one-of-a-kind boat parade has been a crowd pleaser for the thousands of onlookers who have gathered to watch alongside the banks of the River Walk since 1941. Do not miss the lights and decorations illuminating the river as floats decked in bright flowers and vibrant colors set sail at 7:00pm on April 4, with the traditional investiture of the King of San

Antonio slated for April 2. Funds raised from the event support local children’s charities through the Texas Cavaliers Charitable Foundation.

The Texas Cavaliers organization is comprised of 600 business, civic and community leaders who lend their time and talents to local charities. Founded in 1926, the organization has blossomed into an influential part of San Antonio culture, generating $1 million in donations this past year to local children’s charities through their foundation. The Cavaliers’ River Parade has been supporting local children’s charities since 1989 with their colorful parade that draws more than 250,000 people each year. The organization also allows 1,200 Military and 1,200 First Responders, along with 800 children to attend for free.

18,000 tickets are available for purchase so do not miss your opportunity to be front and center for one of the most unique parades in the country. Ticket information is available on the Texas Cavaliers website.

NIOSA

Texas Cavaliers Parade

Texas Cavaliers Parade

Ford Mariachi FestivalBallet Folklorico

Fiesta Artisan Show

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NIGHT IN OLD SAN ANTONIO www.NIOSA.org

THE TEXAS CAVALIERS RIVER PARADE www.TexasCavaliers.org

FORD MARIACHI FESTIVAL www.TheSanAntonioRiverWalk.com/events/ ford-mariachi-festival

FIESTA ARTISAN SHOW

www.TheSanAntonioRiverWalk.com/events/ fiesta-artisan-show

FORD MARIACHI FESTIVAL

This three-day downtown party is free to the public and features student Mariachi bands and Folklorico dancers from local high schools and college Mariachi programs as they strut their stuff along the River Walk starting at 6:00pm, April 5-7. Come enjoy the music and lights as boats float by stopping at random to entertain guests and showcase each group’s musical talents with all performers decked out in traditional Mariachi and Folklorico costumes. Additional performances can be seen on stage at the Shops at Rivercenter.

An official event since 1972, the Ford Mariachi Festival not only provides student musicians an opportunity to gain experience entertaining large audiences, but this 2.5mile musical and visual voyage down the river is also a festive crowd pleaser you will not want to miss!

FIESTA ARTISAN SHOW

Arts and crafts enthusiasts will love searching for hidden gems during this annual Fiesta event that this year features more than 40 handmade artisan booths, including pottery, textiles, jewelry, woodwork, paintings and beadwork.

Located at 602 E Commerce Street, close to the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce building and the Shops at Rivercenter, this free, pet-friendly event runs April 8-10 and is the perfect place to shop for just the right clothing, soaps, ceramics or leather goods to give as a gift or buy something nice for yourself.

Visit the events section of the San Antonio River Walk website for more details.

WRITER’S BIO

Lakendra Lewis is an arts and entertainment journalist, editor and author whose articles have appeared in Edible San Antonio Magazine, The Texas Observer and San Antonio Christian Woman Magazine. She enjoys movies, music, cooking, singing and telling other people’s stories. You can contact her/read more of her stories at lakendralewis.journoportfolio.com.