Fiesta's new website

The Fiesta website has a new look and feel. After several years we've updated our look to provide more information, easier access, and a lot of new features to come. Take some time to check out the new Fiesta website and send us your feedback. Gray Graphics, a local San Antonio web development company, helped make the new website a reality. After some long and hard weeks they have delivered an excellent product that captures the color and spirit of Fiesta. The new website is just in time to start getting ready for Fiesta 2008.

Get the last of the Fiesta merchandise

Fiesta 2007 is over. We all had fun at the parades, NIOSA, Oysterbake, the King William Fair and many other events. Everywhere I looked I saw t-shirts with the poster image on them and the even more popular shirts that said "It's Not Just a Party, It's Fiesta!" That shirt said it all.

But if you missed finding your favorite Fiesta merchandise you have one last chance. The Fiesta Store will be open until May 11 when it closes its doors until Fiesta 2008 with an entirely new stock of merchandise.

But the supplies are limited and they don't plan to reorder (it doesn't make sense to). Some items will always be in stock like the posters until they run out but others like the t-shirts above may be sold out.

The best thing is to stop by the store at 2611 Broadway and shop for your favorite Fiesta items. The store will be open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Remember, it closes on May 11.

Battle of the Bands

Last night the infamous Battle of Flowers Band Festival, otherwise known as the Battle of the Bands, was held in Alamo Stadium. It's always a great event to attend to enjoy the various high school bands as they prepare for the big parade on Friday, the Battle of Flowers Parade.

Not being a resident San Antonian I never knew the fun and excitement shared by residents who participated in this big event. However I've talked to so many who have their memories of the time they marched down the track at Alamo Stadium strutting their stuff for the judges.

Last night was no exception as the bands came and showed that there's more to marching in a band than just playing the instrument. It seemed like every band had something to show the crowd and bring out the cheers.

My favorite last night was one of the showcase bands, Southwest High School. Just when we thought there wasn't anything more to top the night they ended their show with a spirited song right in front of the audience. It caught everyone off guard as we cheered and yelled with the band and their prolonged finale. The longer the crowd cheered the longer they held that ending note. Heck, everyone in the media was scrambling to capture the moment with them.

Today is the "Day Parade" which started this whole ten day festival off. Hope to see you on the route.

NIOSA Favorites

Today I made my visit to NIOSA for pictures for the website. During that visit I always try to sample some of the many foods of NIOSA and discover new ones along with my favorites. There are so many different types of foods on the grounds there is no way you can sample them all in one year. Over the years I have enjoyed so many different tastes developed by the folks at the Conservation Society.

This year I decided to lock onto what a co-worker described as the best value at NIOSA. He suggested I try the banana split found in the Main Street area just off Clown Alley. Apparently the folks at that booth have put together a culinary delight for a great value. Sure enough he was right. For just 4 tickets you get a generous helping of ice cream, bananas, nuts and chocolate syrup.

Of course I had to try my standard favorites. I wandered over to the Haymarket area and lined up like everyone else for Maria's Tortillas. In the past I wondered why people would stand in line for so long to taste a corn tortilla with butter, cheese and salsa. Then I tried one and was hooked. The care the ladies on the platform put into forming and cooking these tortillas makes them that much more tasty. It's like you are back in old San Antonio enjoying these delights from the street.

Another favorite is anticuchos found in the back of the Mexican Market. Four marinated pieces of meat skewered and cooked draws crowds into the small area fighting the smoke from the many pits used to cook the treats. What makes the meat taste so good is the special sauce they are marinated in. It has a slightly tangy taste that really brings out the flavor of the meat.

A new treat I found that I will have to sample next year are the kabobs in Froggy Bottoms. As I wandered out of the area tonight I saw a line that snaked along the wall out of the area all the way into the Mexican Market. I had to find out why people would wait so long for these and the group I asked told me you have to try one to understand. So it looks like I'll be working my way to enjoy those next year.

NIOSA is always fun despite the crowds. Where else could you find all those foods in one place?

Art, Food and Fireworks

Today is the first Sunday of Fiesta 2007 and there's many events and activities to enjoy during this cool April Sunday. Yes, it appears to be a little overcast and there's a slight chance of drizzle but that doesn't deter Fiesta patrons. The drizzle never lasts long and the time with friends makes it even more fun.

Today you can stop by the Fiesta Arts Fair at the Southwest School of Art and Craft where juried art and good food await you. Bring the children because the Arts Fair has a great area for the kids to try their hand at arts and crafts by the San Antonio River. There's plenty of volunteers in the area to help your kids make their own Fiesta medals and other fun things.

At the Sunken Gardens good Cajun food and great jazz await you at A Taste of New Orleans. It's always a great place to meet friends and sit back and enjoy the sights and sounds. One of my favorites is the Bananas Foster which always sets my diet back 4 months. But it's Fiesta and time to relax and enjoy good culinary treats, right?

At Fort Sam Houston you can enjoy some great food, games and fun on the grounds of the Fort with the U.S. Army at Fort Sam Houston Fiesta and Fireworks. At 4:30 you can witness the precision and skills of the Golden Knights Parachute Team as they kick off the military ceremonies on the grounds of the Quadrangle. Later in the evening sit back with friends and family and enjoy the Fireworks display.

There's much more to do on this first Sunday of Fiesta. So get out and enjoy the day with your family.

Gathering Data

It's Fiesta time and everyone's ready to party and have a great time. You arrive at your favorite event ready to grab a drink and a turkey leg. Great. Where's the line? Oh yes, you forget. You have buy tickets to exchange for those culinary delights. Okay where's the line? Then someone walks up and wants to talk to you about your experience at Fiesta. Can't they see you're in a hurry to stand in line to get coupons to stand in line to get a turkey leg?

Now this probably won't happen to you during Fiesta since there are 3.5 million people who attend Fiesta events and the chances of you being picked for the Fiesta survey is pretty low. But if you are picked ...

This year the Fiesta Commission will be surveying participants for an economic impact survey conducted on a periodic basis. The survey is very important to Fiesta's continued success. It provides valuable data used in planning future Fiesta's and attracting future sponsors.

I bet you wonder where those numbers come from when they talk about Fiesta. 3.5 million participants, $284 million in economic impact to San Antonio, 75,000 volunteers, and the list goes on. Those numbers are actually gathered through surveys like the one Fiesta will be conducting this year. The information gathered is applied to several mathematical formulas developed by festival planners that provide the impact of an event like Fiesta on a community.

The numbers help Fiesta planners demonstrate to sponsors and community leaders the significance of an event like Fiesta is. It helps attract future sponsors and shows current sponsors what they actually get from their dollar. These are very important for the Fiesta Commission, a non-profit entity that coordinates this ten day festival.

So when you're out there having fun and someone comes up to ask you questions take the time to give them the information they need. It will help build future Fiestas.

Oh and have a great time! Viva Fiesta!

Fiestas Fantasias Opens Friday

Fiestas Fantasias, formerly known as Fiesta Del Mercado, opens Friday morning at noon with opening ceremonies to be held at the Budweiser Tejano Stage located at the corner of San Saba and Dolorosa. Former Mayor Lila Cockrell and other dignitaries will kick off the ten day event which has become a tradition with many San Antonians.

During the run you'll be able to hear many Tejano and Conjunto bands on several stages. You can also enjoy your fill of Fiesta staples such as gorditas, puffy tacos, turkey legs and many other favorites.

Ever since I started attending Fiesta 19 years ago the festival in El Mercado has always been one of my traditional stops. The very first year three of my friends from Arkansas came down to enjoy Fiesta with me. Our last stop on Sunday night was Market Square and dinner at La Magarita. It was a great way to close out Fiesta.

Fiestas Fantasias now has a new neighbor on the historic walk with the Museo Alameda. The extension of the Smithsonian opened last weekend just in time for Fiesta, giving patrons of Fiestas Fantasias even more reason to enjoy the festival.

Every Fiesta event serves as a benefit for some non-profit cause. Fiestas Fantasias is no different, with funds from the event going to help the San Antonio Parks Foundation. So for every puffy tacos or drink you can take pride in helping improve the parks of San Antonio.

So after the opening ceremonies of Fiesta head over to Market Square and help kick off Fiestas Fantasias.