The Texas Traveler: San Antonio's Fiesta

(Note: We’re starting a new occasional feature on travel suggestions within Texas for these economic times when you put off that two-week jaunt to Tahiti. Today: The Fiesta in San Antonio — Not just a supermarket!)

The economic downturn may have dented your vacation budget, but gas prices are below two bucks a gallon and there are plenty of Texas destinations to explore relatively cheaply. As April winds down, consider heading west to a vibrant city with a large annual festival and central district near a waterfront — ~~Austin!~~ San Antonio!

But why San Antonio? You can walk along dirty water and eat Mexican food here in Houston. (Although to be fair, you’re probably going to encounter fewer homeless people along the River Walk than around Allen’s Landing.)

Anyway, to answer your smart-assed question, it’s Fiesta time. Alt-weekly the San Antonio Current’s readers rated Fiesta San Antonio the Best Place to Get Arrested in 2008; the Current called it “city’s biggest drunkards’ bash.” Of course, there are plenty of family-oriented activities during the 11-day festival in addition to the events at which one can get publicly hammered.

Another perk: hotels are relatively cheap right now. Even during the
festival, you can get a motel room near downtown for less than $70 a
night, and a much fancier rooms on the River Walk starting at $130.

We’ll
run down a few highlights of the last weekend of Fiesta for you. For a
full schedule, visit www.fiesta-sa.org. For some intriguing
non-Fiesta attractions, from the hardest public golf course to the best
dance club, check out the Current‘s 2008 Best of San Antonio (works best with
Internet Explorer).

Friday, April 24
If you want to relax
with some music the night you arrive, you’ve got a couple Fiesta
options. The World Class Jazz Festival is a free, all-day affair
sponsored by St. Mary’s University’s Music Department. No mystery here —
if at this point in your life you don’t know whether you like large
doses of jazz, then we’re not sure what to tell you. 1 to 10 p.m., One
Camino Santa Maria. Alternately, there’s a Fiesta Under the Stars
Leonard Bernstein tribute from 7:30 to 10 p.m., with a supper in the
UT-San Antonio University Center Ballroom at 6:30. This one requires
tickets; call 210-458-4357 for info.

On the more active (and
expensive) end of the spectrum, Chips ‘n’ Salsa offers casino games, a
silent auction, appetizers and salsa dancing from 7 to 11 p.m. at the
El Tropicano Hotel. The cost is $50 pre-sale and $75 at the door. All
proceeds go to San Antonio Youth Centers, so you’ll be gambling for a
good cause. Explain to the host or hostess how the name is a fun play
on words and you’ll get an extra $10 in gambling “money.”* (* No, you
won’t.)

Saturday, April 25
The King William Fair &
Parade takes place in the artsy district of San Antonio and features
Victorian homes, fine art, music and gender-bending. Mark Jones, the
Current‘s calendar editor, describes it to us as “a parade in the
morning with occasional cross-dressers and then indie bands playing on
the streets.” Sounds a little like the Westheimer Block Party, except
you’ll be free to really cut loose in a new town where your good name
has yet to be sullied. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., King William Historic
District. For info: www.kwfair.org.

The Fiesta Flambeau Parade
is the largest nighttime lighted parade in the country — some 700,000
people come out to downtown San Antonio to see it, with another 1.5
million watching on TV. The theme of the “People’s Parade” this year is
Las Vegas — perhaps that will help you remember that what falls in the
River Walk, stays in the River Walk…for a short time before going to
jail. ¡Qué tonto! The UT Longhorn band kicks things off around 7:45
p.m. Check www.fiestaflambeau.org for info, including special seating
prices.

Sunday, April 26
Things wind down a bit on the
last day of the festival, but the San Antonio Blues Society’s “Black and
White Blues” concert provides a good musical option (and a chance to
alleviate a potential hangover with an afternoon beer). The covered
event at Sunset Station in the Historic St. Paul Square District will
go forward rain or shine. Noon to 6 p.m., 1174 E. Commerce St. Tickets
are $12. Info: www.sanantonioblues.com.

For something
that’ll keep kids happy, check out St. Luke Catholic Church’s Fiesta
Finale. Fiesta’s official final event only costs $5 (free for 12 and
under) and features carnival rides, food, live music, a flea market,
bingo and more. No mention of sideshow attractions, but after a full
weekend of festivities — make that nearly two weeks for locals — your
fellow Texans should provide plenty of fodder for people-watching. 11
a.m. to 9:30 p.m., 4603 Manitou Drive. Visit the Fiesta site for info
and a music schedule.