Fiesta weekend is upon us, and here are a few ideas about where to go and what to do.
First off, Connie Swann says head to the San Antonio Botanical Garden for Viva Botanica, which is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, including a children's parade at noon.
Swann said kids should to bring their wagons decorated for Fiesta, and the Alamo Heights drum line will be leading the parade throughout the garden.
IF YOU GO WHERE: San Antonio Botanical Garden WHEN: 10 a.m. Saturday COST: $12 adults, and $9 children ages 3-13
“Everything is blooming right now. Our water features are going, birds are definitely happy here at the garden right now,” she said.
Then, on Saturday, the San Antonio River Foundation's Kelley Phillips said to go to the river for the third annual Mission Reach Flotilla Festival.
Like many Fiesta events, it features “the on-a-stick foods, we have live music, but what really sets this apart and what really makes this special is we have a water parade," Phillips said.
IF YOU GO WHAT: Mission Reach Flotilla Festival WHERE: Mission County Park Pavilion WHEN: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday COST: Free
That water parade is a costume contest too, and that costume contest includes dogs, something she said kids really love.
“This is happening at the Mission County Park Pavilion," she said.
Also Saturday and Sunday, Mark Williams said the 45th annual Fiesta Arts Fair will be the place to be.
IF YOU GO What: Fiesta Arts Fair Where: Southwest School of Art When: 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday Cost: $15 adults, $5 children 5-12
"We've got artists coming from all over the country, and Canada, and music and food, and young artists garden. And it's just a fun time for everybody," he said.
Set on the tree-filled, shady grounds of the Southwest School of Art, it’s one of the prettiest locations in the city.
"I hear all the time this is the one Fiesta event that I go to because it is so family-friendly," Williams said.
Erwin J. De Luna, president of the United San Antonio Pow Wow invites you to Saturday's event at the Woodlawn Gym. De Luna said the powwow plays an important role in keeping culture alive.
"It all started as a way of sharing our culture with one another, as well as sharing it with our children and grandchildren, and teaching the songs and the dance," he said.
The powwow also features a grand entry with all the dancers, and foods such as the traditional indian fry bread. The event is free to attend.
IF YOU GO WHAT: United San Antonio Pow Wow WHERE: Woodlawn Gym, next to Woodlawn Lake WHEN: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday COST: free
Then, at the Tobin Friday through Sunday, the San Antonio Symphony does Fiesta Pops. This is the one concert where the music is all from Mexico and Latin America.
"This program is just pure fun," said new assistant conductor NoamAviel. The organizations the symphony is collaborating with for this concert will give it a whole different sound, and look.
The stage in front of the orchestra will be filled with The Guadalupe Dance Company, the Mariachi Campanas de America playing mariachi music, and hometown favorite Sebastian De La Cruz will be the featured performer.
"It's very rhythmic and it makes you want to dance," she said.
IF YOU GO WHAT: Fiesta Pops WHERE: Tobin Center for the Performing Arts WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday COST: $25-$96
Jack Morgan can be reached at jack@tpr.org
