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By Leigh Baldwin
Photography Paul Lara

Five local nonprofit organizations will add their own spicy variety to Fiesta ® San Antonio in 2007. Their official Fiesta events will join 98 others as part of the city’s biggest annual festival April 20-29.

Fiesta is growing — and not just because 103 events are to take place this year. The celebration is getting so popular that the San Antonio city limits just can’t hold it all. Official activities are scheduled in Alamo Heights, Cibolo and Boerne.

What’s an official Fiesta event? It’s an activity sponsored by one of the 96 nonprofit organizations belonging to the Fiesta® San Antonio Commission or by a local military organization.

All this bustle really makes an impact on San Antonio. A 2002 study found that Fiesta generates an economic impact of $254 million. That makes Fiesta the biggest event by far on the city calendar. Statewide, Fiesta is second only to the State Fair in Dallas.

For each of Fiesta’s 10 days, hundreds of thousands of city residents and thousands of visitors from as far away as Asia have a great time at Fiesta events. As they’re enjoying themselves, they’re also contributing to those 96 nonprofit Fiesta Commission members. Those groups — schools, churches, arts organizations, athletic groups, health organizations and many more — use the money they raise during Fiesta to help their neighbors throughout the year.

Locals and visitors spend a lot of money those 10 days at Fiesta activities and beyond. Add the hundreds of entertainers and vendors who flock to town. Stir in the 75,000 volunteers who donate their time. They’re all buying food, gas and souvenirs, renting cars and staying in hotels. They may also visit other area attractions. Now you’ve got a real Texas-sized festival!

Lots of unofficial Fiesta action goes on, too. Take Alamo Heights Night, for example. Some 12,000 people attend this popular block party sponsored by the Alamo Heights Rotary Club since 1987. The party has raised more than $1 million for local charities. But though it’s scheduled during Fiesta, Alamo Heights Night isn’t a Fiesta event.

Another activity that’s growing in popularity is Pin Pandemonium, sponsored by Southwest Airlines, a corporate sponsor of the Fiesta Commission. The company invites people to come and swap Fiesta pins and medals or buy new pins and medals from Fiesta organizations. And everyone enjoys Southwest’s hospitality (a lot more than peanuts is on the menu!) Of course, Pin Pandemonium can’t claim official Fiesta status because the airline is certainly not a nonprofit organization.

Other unofficial Fiesta fun includes visits by Fiesta kings and queens to local schools and private parties all over the city.

In other words, to quote 2007 Fiesta Commission President Jorge Gonzalez, “Fiesta is for everyone!”

So what’s new for Fiesta 2007? The Fiesta Commission has approved five new activities:

Fiesta Especial, April 20-21, sponsored by River City Christian School at 5810 Blanco Road. This special carnival is designed to provide a safe, Christ-centered environment specifically designed for children with special needs and their families.

The Fiesta Model Rocket Champion-ships, April 21, sponsored by the Tom C. Clark High School Air Force Junior ROTC at the school’s football stadium, 5150 DeZavala Road. About 90 participating model rocket teams will compete to launch and land model rockets near targets at different ranges. 

The Texas Corvette Association of San Antonio’s Annual Car Show, April 21, Main Plaza in Boerne, sponsored by St. Jude’s Ranch for Children. Some 250 classic vehicles will be on display. In addition to the cars, you can enjoy music, silent auctions and door prizes. Take a chance on a raffle for a restored 1975 Volkswagen Super Beetle convertible. The drawing takes place the day of the show. All proceeds from this event benefit the ranch, which provides a safe haven for children ages 12 to18 who have been abused, abandoned or neglected.

Champagne & Diamonds Brunch, April 22, sponsored by Lo Bello de San Antonio Women’s Club. You can simply buy a $40 ticket for the meal. Or, for $100, you can get a glass of champagne with a stone at the bottom. One glass contains a real one-carat diamond. All the others have cubic zirconia. Event proceeds pay for scholarships at local colleges and universities and donations to other civic organizations to improve education and health in the community. 

The Fiesta Blues Heritage Series at Sunset Station, April 29, sponsored by the San Antonio Blues Society. Listen to eclectic performances of blues and blues-influenced music. The event supports SABS projects like “Blues in the Schools.” The organization’s mission is to ensure the continuation of blues music by offering educational programs within the community and preserving locations and artifacts relevant to the history of blues music and its artists. 

Several long-time events have announced changes. The Metropolitan Ballet is cutting back from two performances to one, April 21 at the Carver Community Cultural Center. The April 22 Sticky Wickets Croquet Tournament is moving from Blessed Sacrament Academy to Victoria’s Black Swan Inn on the banks of Salado Creek. Beethoven Maennerchor is adding a fourth day to its very popular Fiesta Gartenfest. It will run April 25 though 28 at the Beethoven Garten.

Those are the basics of Fiesta 2007. The whole schedule (and much more) is available at www.fiesta-sa.org.

As you make your plans, remember that Fiesta San Antonio is more than the country’s best festival. It’s also one of the greatest community benefits around. Viva Fiesta!